Predator crashes north of Joint Base Balad Published Aug. 1, 2008 JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- An MQ-1 Predator crashed north of Joint Base Balad at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time Aug 1. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted vehicle used primarily to conduct armed reconnaissance. A board will convene to investigate the crash. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page