B-52 crashes near Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert
A U.S. Air Force B-52 crashes after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base. The status of the crew is unknown and the base is closed to visitor traffic.
The military has released the identities of the eight crew members of the U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber that crashed near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15.
“These Airmen were more than just colleagues; they were friends, mentors, teammates, and valued members of the Edwards and Air Force families. They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members, and irreplaceable teammates,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, said in a statement June 17.
The plane, a long-range B-52 Stratofortress, crashed after takeoff on a test mission to support a radar modernization program, the military base said earlier.
Officials said the crew consisted of both uniformed personnel and civilians.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to their families, loved ones, and fellow Airmen, Air Force civilians, and mission partners affected by this tragedy,” Tauer said.
Edwards Air Force Base crash victims
The U.S. Air Force identified the victims of the June 15 plane crash as follows:
- Air Force Col. Gregory Watson, a 53-year-old weapons systems officer from Shreveport, Louisiana, worked for Boeing.
- Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, Weapons Systems Officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
- Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, Boeing pilot, Tehachapi, Calif.
- Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Weapons Systems Officer, Lancaster, Calif.
- Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
- Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California
- Jeromy Smith, 32, 419th Flight Test Squadron, flight test engineer, Rosamond, Calif.
- Christopher Richard, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, California.
Loved ones mourn B-52 crash victims
Michael Kelly, a former Air Force officer and flight tester, said he worked “with” Middleton for two years and called on the public to pray for his family.
“He was the best of the best. He was always resourceful and had deep technical knowledge of BUFF and flight test procedures,” Kelly wrote in a social media post the day after the crash, using the acronym for the B-52 Stratofortress.
Kelly also shared a GoFundMe set up to support Middleton’s wife and two children.
“The funds raised will help cover immediate expenses and bills, and provide some peace of mind as we adjust to this new reality,” wrote Melissa Lynch, who started the fundraising page. “In addition to everyday living expenses, we as a community want to raise money for our children’s college so they can look forward to a brighter future despite their heartbreak. Your support will help ease the financial burden and give Pam and her children a sense of hope and security.”
Jeromy Smith’s wife Lauren Smith called her late husband a “leader” and “hero” in an interview with KBAK.
“He died doing what he loved,” she said.
The couple have two children and celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary a few days earlier, on June 11. “I hope one day they can look back and say their father was a hero,” she said. According to his family, the couple’s son is 2 years and 4 months old.
“Our hearts are completely broken. You hear of tragedy every day, but you never realize its magnitude until it touches your heart,” Lindsey Smith, Jeromy Smith’s sister-in-law, wrote in a fundraiser for her sister. “She is forced to grieve the love of her life and at the same time navigate life as a newly single mother. Our entire family is devastated by this great loss. My brother-in-law was a wonderful husband and a wonderful father to our sons.”
Rebecca Sasser also started a fundraiser on behalf of her sister, who lost her husband Robert Dee.
“Robert was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and proud Air Force test pilot. He dedicated his life to serving his country and those he loved most,” Sasser wrote. “He leaves behind his wife Ashley and three children, Beverley, Eleanor and Corbin, who are now facing the heartbreaking reality of moving on without him.”
Hovey is from Iowa, as confirmed in a statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds provided to the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“This is yet another reminder of the incredible sacrifices required of all Americans who choose to serve their country,” Reynolds said. “As we honor Major Hovey’s life and work, let us never forget the price of freedom.”
“Miles and Greg’s deaths are deeply felt by our entire team, and our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and those who worked with them,” Boeing said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
What are officials saying about this accident?
“Survival has been determined to be impossible,” Col. James Hayes, the base’s deputy commander, told reporters at a press conference on the day of the crash, adding that the investigation was estimated to take six months.
“We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said of the victims.
The crash was the first at the base since May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquis crashed during landing, killing two crew members. Seven passengers were also seriously injured, according to military archives reviewed by USA TODAY.
Contributed by Brian Day and Michael Loria, USA TODAYand Kyler Werner, Des Moines Register
