MQ-1 Predator crashes near Balad Published Aug. 17, 2004 BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- An Air Force MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle crashed at 9:20 a.m. Aug. 17 north of the base. The aircraft was assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here. A board of officers will investigate the accident.