Editing General Atomics MQ-1 Predator (section)

===The Balkans===
[[File:Predator MQ-1 (war trophy in Museum of Aviation, Belgrade, Serbia).jpg|thumb|A shot down RQ-1 Predator in the [[Aeronautical Museum Belgrade|Museum of Aviation]] in Belgrade, [[Serbia]]]]

The first overseas deployment took place in the [[Balkans]], from July to November 1995, under the name ''Nomad Vigil''. Operations were based in [[Gjader Air Base|Gjader]], Albania. Four disassembled Predators were flown into Gjadër airbase in a [[C-130 Hercules]]. The UAVs were assembled and flown first by civilian contract personnel. The U.S. deployed more than 70 military intelligence personnel. Intelligence collection missions began in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Atomics MQ-1L Predator A |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/general-atomics-mq-1l-predator/nasm_A20040180000 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=National Air and Space Museum |language=en}}</ref> 

One of the Predators was lost over [[Krepšić]], near [[Brčko]], northern Bosnia, on 11 August 1995;<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=ЈЕДИНИЦА |date=2018-09-27 |title=Смрт Предатора изнад Републике Српске |url=https://www.crveneberetke.com/smrt-predatora-iznad-republike-srpske/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Црвене беретке |language=sr-RS}}</ref> a second one was deliberately destroyed on 14 August after suffering an engine failure over Bosnia, which may have been caused by hostile ground fire.<ref>Norman Polmar, ''The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet'' (2005) p. 479.</ref> Serb forces claim the shooting down of a third Predator over [[Nevesinje]], Herzegovina, on 5  September, during [[Operation Deliberate Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ЈЕДИНИЦА |date=2018-09-27 |title=Смрт Предатора изнад Републике Српске |url=https://www.crveneberetke.com/smrt-predatora-iznad-republike-srpske/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Црвене беретке |language=sr-RS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lakić |first=Marko |date=16 January 2023 |title=Budućnost je počela 1995. kod Nevesinja kada su Srbi oborili prvi dron u istoriji |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/532808/Buducnost-je-pocela-1995-kod-Nevesinja-kada-su-Srbi-oborili-prvi-dron-u-istoriji |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Politika Online |language=Sr}}</ref> The wreckage of the first Predator was handed over to Russia, according to Serb sources.<ref name=":0">[http://tealgroup.com/images/TGCTOC/sample-wmuav2.pdf RQ-1 Predator/MQ-9 Reaper] June 2019, p. 30</ref> Its original 60-day stay was extended to 120 days. The following spring, in March 1996, the system was redeployed to the Balkans area and operated out of [[Taszar]], Hungary.<ref>Houston R. Cantwell, ''RADM Thomas J. Cassidy’s MQ-1 Predator: the USAF’s first UAV success story'', Air Command and Staff College Air University (Apr 2006)</ref>

Several others were destroyed in the course of [[Operation Noble Anvil]], the 1999 NATO bombing of [[Yugoslavia]]:
* One aircraft (serial 95-3017) was lost on 18 April 1999, following fuel system problems and icing.<ref name="AFPN report" />
* A second aircraft (serial 95-3019) was lost on 13 May, when it was shot down by a Serbian [[SA-9 Gaskin|Strela-1M]] [[surface-to-air missile]] over the village of Biba. A Serbian TV crew videotaped this incident.<ref name="loss" />
* A third aircraft (serial number 95-3021) crashed on 20 May near the town of Talinovci, and Serbian news reported that this, too, was the result of anti-aircraft fire.<ref name="loss" /><ref name="aeronautics" />