The eight folks killed in an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash in California have been recognized.
The B-52 was on a “routine test mission” Monday morning when it crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Power Base and burst into flames, officers mentioned.
Smoke rises from a blackened a part of Edwards Air Power Base after the crash of a U.S. Air Power B-52 bomber plane in Edwards, Calif., June 15, 2026, in a nonetheless picture from information helicopter video.
KABC through Reuters
Everybody on board was killed: 4 crew members, one civilian and three contractors, officers mentioned.
The victims had been recognized by the bottom as: Col. Gregory Watson, 53, weapon techniques officer, Boeing; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon techniques officer, Air Power Operational Take a look at and Analysis Heart; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon techniques officer, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron; Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron; Jeromy Smith, 32, flight take a look at engineer, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron; and Christopher Rischar, 41, flight take a look at engineer, JT4 contractor.
Edwards Air Power Base has launched the names of the eight folks killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards throughout a routine take a look at mission on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Edwards Air Power Base
“They had been devoted professionals, beloved relations and irreplaceable teammates,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Take a look at Wing Commander, mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday. “Our ideas, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their households, family members and fellow Airmen, Air Power civilians and mission companions affected by this tragedy.”
Two Boeing staff had been among the many victims. Boeing mentioned in an announcement, “The lack of Miles and Greg is deeply felt throughout our groups, and our hearts stay with their households, family members and people who labored with them.”
An Air Power B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Power Base in California, June 15, 2026.
KABC
The reason for the crash is below investigation, a course of that can doubtless take a number of months, Col. James Hayes, deputy commander for the 412th Take a look at Wing on the base, mentioned Monday.
Take a look at missions happen a number of occasions a day at Edwards Air Power Base, Hayes mentioned.
