Edwards Air Force Base Identifies 8 Killed in B-52H Crash After Takeoff

A B-52H Stratofortress bomber crashed soon after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California on Monday, killing eight people and bursting into flames, according to base deputy commander Col. James Hayes and Stars and Stripes.

“8 victims killed in B-52 crash identified by Edwards Air Force Base All eight on board were killed in Monday's crash in California”

ABC News

Edwards identified the victims on Wednesday as Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34; Maj. Robert Dee, 40; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35; Jeromy Smith, 32; Col. Gregory Watson, 53; Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50; and Christopher Rischar, 41, with the crash occurring during a test flight as part of a program to modernize the bomber’s radar.

ABC News

Stars and Stripes reported that the cause of the accident is under investigation and could take six months to complete, while the base remained closed for air operations as investigators examined wreckage that created a long black streak on a runway.

USA Today said the identities of the eight crew members onboard a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber that crashed near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15 were released by the military on Wednesday, June 17, after the base previously said the crash happened after taking off on a test mission in support of a radar modernization program.

In a statement released on Wednesday, June 17, Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, said, "These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family."

Before the names were officially released, Stars and Stripes reported that an emotional post Tuesday night from Estrella’s wife, Brianna, said, "Our hearts are shattered," and added, "He is, and always will be, our hero."

USA Today said Col. Thomas Tauer told workers and families in a statement released on Wednesday, June 17 that, "They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates," as the military released the eight identities.

ABC7 Los Angeles

Stars and Stripes quoted Deputy base commander Col. James Hayes saying the B-52 was conducting a test flight as part of a program to modernize the bomber’s radar, and noted the eight-engine jet was more than 60 years old.

USA Today described the crew as consisting of both uniformed personnel and civilians, and said officials identified the group as acting as a mixed team for the June 15 crash.

The Los Angeles Times reported that families remembered the victims as the airfield cleanup continued after the fiery crash, and it quoted Lauren Smith saying, "I just wish I could’ve kept him longer," in reference to Jeromy Smith.

Stars and Stripes said the base remained closed for air operations as investigators examined the wreckage and that the cause of the accident is under investigation, which could take six months.

“Edwards Air Force Base has released the names of the eight people killed in a B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash on Monday”

CBS News

USA Today said the aircraft crashed after taking off on a test mission in support of a radar modernization program, and it listed the victims’ roles including weapon systems officer assignments and flight test engineer work for JT4.

CBS News reported that Col. James Hayes described the crash as "unsurvivable," and said the airfield would remain closed until at least Thursday while flight test operations were expected to resume early next week.

NBC News reported that the Accident Investigation Board process had formally commenced and that officials said these types of investigations can take up to six months for initial conclusions on the cause of the crash.

In the same NBC News report, the officials said, "Given the swiftness of the crash after departure, the incident was declared unsurvivable," while the Radar Modernization Program was described as meant to upgrade B-52 bombers so the planes can continue flying into the 2050s.