The U.S. military has released the names of the eight people who died in the crash of a B-52 Stratofortress bomber at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Among the victims are four active-duty service members, a reservist, and three civilian specialists who were part of the aircraft's flight support program. This was reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.
Details
According to the military, the deceased are Colonel Gregory Watson, retired Lieutenant Colonel Miles Middleton, Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella, Major Alexander Davis, Major Robert Dee, Major Brad Hovey, Jeromy Smith, and Christopher Richard.
"They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members, and irreplaceable teammates,"
Circumstances of the Crash
The accident occurred on Monday shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was performing a test mission as part of the B-52 modernization program, which aims to ensure the operation of these bombers until at least 2050.
According to base officials, the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The investigation could take up to six months. Experts suggest that flight control system or engine failures could have led to the accident, but it is too early to draw final conclusions.
The Aircraft Was Undergoing Modernization
The bomber arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in December 2025 after a modernized radar was installed at a Boeing facility in San Antonio. Throughout 2026, it was planned to be used as a test platform to evaluate the effectiveness of the new radar system.
Prior to this, the aircraft had been based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana for many years. It was known as the "Spirit of Aggieland" and was used as part of the 307th Bomb Wing. According to the AP, virtually nothing remained of the aircraft after the crash—debris was found on the base grounds in the Mojave Desert, approximately 160 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles.
8 people killed in B-52 bomber crash at US Air Force base16.06.26, 08:37