Gunsan: A U.S. Air Force unit based in South Korea announced that it is currently investigating the cause of the recent crash of its MQ-9 Reaper drone off the country's west coast. The incident occurred on Monday when the drone, stationed at Kunsan Air Base, crashed near Maldo-ri Island, located off the western city of Gunsan, approximately 180 kilometers south of Seoul. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported as a result of the crash.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 8th Fighter Wing responded to inquiries about the cause of the accident by stating, "The incident is still under investigation." The unit emphasized its commitment to conducting thorough investigations, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring accountability at every level whenever such incidents occur.

The fighter unit also mentioned that it is working in coordination with South Korea's Navy and Coast Guard to plan and prepare for a safe and thorough recovery operation. Despite the crash, the 8th Fighter Wing assured that flight operations for other MQ-9 Reapers remain on schedule. The unit emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that operations will continue with heightened awareness and addressing any potential issues proactively.

This crash comes shortly after the U.S. military established a reconnaissance unit operating the drones at Kunsan Air Base in September. Previously, Reapers were deployed to South Korea on a rotational basis.