An MQ-1 Predator crashed in a field shortly after taking off from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey Thursday, the Air Force said.
The 39th Air Base Wing at Incirlik said in a release that no one was injured when the remotely piloted aircraft came down in a field in Adana, Turkey, at about 10:15 p.m. local time. The Air Force is now investigating what caused the crash.
U.S. military officials and local Adana police responded to the crash, the release said.
“At this time the safety of our host nation civilians and the recovery and security of our asset is paramount,” Col. David Eaglin, commander of the 39th, said in a release. ”Our airmen train continuously to respond to incidents such as this, and we are working closely with our host nation partners to ensure this is resolved without conflict.”
The release told people who feel they may have a damage claim as a result of the crash to contact the 39th’s legal office.
Predators have previously crashed in Turkey in October 2015 and February 2016 due to mechanical problems.
Incirlik is one of the key bases the Air Force uses to wage the air war against the Islamic State. Other aircraft stationed there include A-10 Warthogs, which are used to provide close air support strikes, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, KC-135 Stratotankers and F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
