Memories of March
A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operating over Syria was “severely damaged” by flares discharged by a Russian Su-35 (Flanker-E) fighter jet then engaged in what Pentagon officials called “blatant disregard for flight safety.” In a 25 July statement, the USAF contended the Russian fighter had harassed the MQ-9 while the latter was carrying out a mission against the Islamic State.