In October 2011 , the USAF began operating Reapers out of Arba Minch Airport in Ethiopia for surveillance-only operations in Somalia . In 2012 , both Reapers and Predators were deployed in Benghazi , Libya after the attack that killed the US ambassador in that city . In February 2013 , the U.S. stationed a Predator at Niamey to provide intelligence for French forces during Operation Serval in Mali ; it was later replaced by two MQ-9 Reapers . In April 2013 , one of these Reapers crashed on a surveillance flight due to mechanical failure
the attack
2012 Benghazi attack
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper