On Wednesday, authorities released the names of the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in the crash of a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress earlier this week. Officials emphasized their ongoing commitment to supporting the grieving families and the members of the installation team affected by this tragedy.
A spokesperson from Edwards Air Force Base, along with Air Force Plant 42, confirmed that the deceased comprised a combination of military personnel, government civilians, and contractors.
The victims were identified as Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, serving as a weapons systems officer; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, also a weapons systems officer; Maj. Robert Dee, 40, a pilot with the 419th Test Squadron; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, another pilot from the same squadron; Jeromy Smith, 32, a flight test engineer from the 419th Flight Test Squadron; Christopher Rischar, 41, a contractor and flight test engineer; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Miles Middleton, 50, a Boeing pilot; and Col. Gregory Watson, 53, a Boeing weapons officer and Air Force reservist, who had recently been promoted to colonel by the Air Force.
These individuals were traveling aboard the B-52 Stratofortress that crashed shortly after taking off at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time on Monday, near Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, according to previous reports by News Media.
The Cold War-era bomber crashed shortly after takeoff around 11:20 a.m. local time Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, News Media previously reported.
The crew was conducting a routine test mission to support the Air Force’s sweeping modernization program for the B-52 fleet, which includes evaluating a new radar system, upgraded avionics and new Rolls-Royce engines designed to keep the bomber operational into the 2050s.
Smoke rises from Edwards Air Force Base after a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed in Edwards, Calif., on June 15, 2026. (ALERTCalifornia/Reuters)
As the Air Force pauses flight test operations at the base, the investigation is expected to focus heavily on the aircraft’s takeoff, looking for potential engine failures or controllability issues.
The probe will also likely examine maintenance records, especially after Smith’s widow told local outlet KTLA the plane was experiencing issues on the Friday before the fatal crash, causing the flight to be delayed.
FILE – The crash happened shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California. (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images)
The Air Force has indicated the full investigation could take up to six months to complete.
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