The U.S. Air Pressure launched the names of the eight individuals killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards AFB.
The U.S. Air Pressure’s 412th Take a look at Wing has launched the names of the eight individuals killed within the horrific mishap on Jun. 15, 2026, which noticed a B-52 Stratofortress crashing shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Pressure Base, California. The plane was departing for a routine take a look at mission which included each service members and contractors aboard the bomber.
“It’s with profound sorrow and a heavy coronary heart that I can now share the names of the eight extraordinary People we misplaced throughout Monday’s B-52 crash,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Take a look at Wing Commander, informed staff and households at Edwards AFB. “They have been devoted professionals, beloved members of the family and irreplaceable teammates. Our ideas, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their households, family members and fellow Airmen, Air Pressure civilians and mission companions affected by this tragedy.”
The service has now accomplished the following of kin notifications, though among the fallen crew members have been publicly recognized earlier. Boeing equally confirmed on the day of the crash that two of its workers have been aboard the plane.
Right here is the crew, as confirmed by the bottom in a press launch on June 17:
Col. Gregory Watson, 53, weapon techniques officer, Boeing (Air Pressure reservist, assigned tenth Air Pressure, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Price, Fort Price, Texas), Shreveport, La.
Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon techniques officer, Air Pressure Operational Take a look at and Analysis Middle, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.
Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, Calif.
Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon techniques officer, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.
Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
Jeromy Smith, 32, flight take a look at engineer, 419th Flight Take a look at Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.
Christopher Rischar, 41, flight take a look at engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, Calif.
“These Airmen have been greater than coworkers. They have been pals, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Pressure household,” added Col. Tauer. “Our quick focus is supporting the households of the teammates we misplaced and guaranteeing that each one acceptable sources can be found to them throughout this time of unimaginable loss.”
The service confirmed that the crash is beneath investigation by an Interim Security Investigation Board, whereas Edwards’ airfield stays closed till additional discover. The closure was introduced instantly after the incident so as to permit the set up to focus fully on emergency response operations.
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— Air Pressure World Strike Command (@AFGlobalStrike) June 17, 2026
Particulars about what occurred on June 15 stay restricted because the service continues to research to reconstruct the occasions. There’s presently hypothesis on social media a couple of first model of the occasions and the plane concerned, with officers later confirming that the B-52 was certainly concerned within the take a look at of the brand new AESA radar.
“It was a B-52 that was on preliminary takeoff, supporting the Radar Modernization Program,” mentioned Col. James Hayes, Deputy Commander of the 412th Take a look at Wing, throughout a press convention. “It was an area take a look at sortie. It took off, and instantly after takeoff, crashed and burst into flames. After reviewing the footage of the crash, it was deemed that this was an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable.”
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— The Boeing Firm (@Boeing) June 16, 2026
The incident
As we reported earlier, a B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Base at 11:20 a.m. on June 15, 2026. The bottom confirmed the mishap on its social media channels after pictures appeared on-line displaying a large plume of black smoke rising from the situation.
The smoke was seen additionally at a distance, due to the huge hearth fueled by the bomber’s full tanks at takeoff. In line with the service, the B-52H has a gasoline capability of 312,197 kilos (141,610 kilograms).
Later within the day, the service offered a primary replace mentioning the presence of eight individuals onboard. In the meantime, pictures from information shops offered the primary pictures of the crash web site, displaying the devastation left by the huge hearth that erupted after the crash.
The bomber’s traditional crew contains 5 individuals, though the plane is reported to have six crew stations and 4 leap seats, for a complete of ten. The explanation for the elevated crew is unclear, though it may very well be associated to the precise take a look at sortie.
The Struggle Zone additionally reported that this could be the largest loss at Edwards AFBN for the reason that crash of a B-50D bomber with eight individuals on board in 1951. That is additionally the primary B-52 crash in 10 years, occurred on Could 19, 2016, when a B-52H (tail quantity 60-0047) belonging to the 69th Bomb Squadron, fifth Bomb Wing, from Minot AFB, North Dakota, overran the top of the runway throughout an aborted take off at Andersen AFB, Guam.
The plane crashed and burned however all of the 7 crew members managed to egress the airplane safely. The B-52 was deployed to Andersen from Minot AFB, North Dakota, as a part of the Washington’s steady bomber presence mission within the Pacific.
