US Africa Command says one of its drones, an apparently armed Gray Eagle, malfunctioned in Niger

An MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone, operated by U.S. Africa Command made an emergency landing near Agadez, Niger, on Saturday, a U.S. Africa Command spokesman told Military Times.

“The aircraft experienced a mechanical malfunction while conducting a routine mission in support of operations in the region,” Air Force Col. Christopher Karns told Military Times.

An investigation into the cause of the malfunction will take place, he said.

RELATED

Trump orders most American troops to leave Somalia. AFRICOM says they are redeploying elsewhere in region

Without providing details, the Pentagon said in a short statement that “a majority” of U.S. troops and assets in Somalia will be withdrawn in early 2021.

By Robert Burns, The Associated Press and Howard Altman

“The aircraft is under observation by U.S. forces with host nation cooperation and assistance,” Karns said. “Assessment and the process of recovery of the aircraft and safeguarding the site is underway. Due to force protection and operational considerations this is about all I can say. Early indications reflect a mechanical issue but an investigation is underway.”

Karns told Military Times the drone is an MQ-1C Gray Eagle, a multipurpose drone that “provides reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, command and control, communications relay, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, attack, battle damage assessment, and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities,” according to the Defense Department.

AFRICOM’s Twitter account confirmed the loss of the aircraft after being asked about social media postings of what appear to be an armed Gray Eagle drone, with a Hellfire missile still under its wing.

RELATED

AFRICOM conducts 50th airstrike in Somalia amid US troop relocation in Africa

The strikes come days after the Pentagon unveiled plans to remove a “majority” of the 700 U.S. troops currently in Somalia from the country and relocate them.

By Diana Stancy Correll

“We continue to work with African partners providing a range of assistance in the region to include a valuable threat detection capability via aerial overwatch,” said Karns.

In Other News

What’s missing from the conversation on Air Force recruiting?

The Air Force says it’s having one of the toughest recruiting stretches of the past quarter-century.

USS Ronald Reagan pulls into Busan, South Korea, after 5 year absence

The last time the U.S. and South Korea conducted joint drills together with a U.S. aircraft carrier was in 2017.

Sailor busted for using a duffel bag dummy passenger in carpool lane

In which a PO3 attains legendary status.

Fighter fleet is strained — and bill is coming due, ACC chief says

Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly said the 2018 Air Force We Need study, which called for 62 fighter squadrons, was on the money.

It’s time for equitable reproductive rights for women veterans

The VA recently said it will start providing abortions in certain circumstances, even in states where it's illegal or restricted.

Load More