An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed yesterday in eastern Afghanistan, according to Air Forces Central. The crash was not due to hostile fire, AFCENT said in a release. A board is being convened to investigate the incident. This is the first Air Force Predator crash that we are aware of since last August when ashort circuit felled an MQ-1 near Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.