US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Crashes off South Korea Coast
A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed Monday morning off the west coast of South Korea, a South Korean newspaper reported the same day, citing U.S. and South Korean military sources.
The Reaper, assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, “experienced an accident at 4:35 a.m.,” The Chosun Daily reported, citing a statement from the U.S. 8th Fighter Wing. The Reaper came down near the island coast of Maldo-ri, Okdo-myeon, Gunsan city, while on a routine mission, according to The Chosun report.
No injuries or property damage resulted from the crash, which is under investigation, according to the report.
The 431st, formerly a World War II fighter squadron deactivated in 1949, was reactivated as a Reaper reconnaissance unit in September at Kunsan. The squadron mission is to “support U.S.-Korean priorities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Laura Hayden said at the time. Kunsan, the wing headquarters, is about 115 miles southwest of Seoul.
The Reaper is a long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a range of approximately 1,150 miles and a ceiling of 50,000 feet, according to the Air Force.
Top Photo: A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 49th Maintenance Squadron marshals an MQ-9 Reaper operated by the 20th Attack Squadron during Freedom Flag 25-2 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2025. FF 25-2 is a routine, regularly scheduled training event designed to prepare joint and combined forces for combat to defend the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karissa Dick)
Source: Stars & Stripes
