Pentagon names eight victims of B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base
The U.S. military released the names of the eight men killed when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, and officials began an investigation into the incident.
The Pentagon announced Wednesday the identities of the eight men who died after a B-52 Stratofortress crashed moments after departing Edwards Air Force Base in California. The deceased include Col. Gregory Watson, 53; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34; Maj. Robert Dee, 40; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35; flight test engineer Jeromy Smith, 32; and flight test engineer Christopher Rischar, 41.
"They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates," said Col. Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards.
Two of the victims, Watson and Middleton, were Boeing employees. Boeing expressed condolences, noting the loss was "deeply felt across our teams."
The crash occurred during a routine test mission, and Air Force officials described the event as "unsurvivable" given the rapid descent after takeoff. An Accident Investigation Board has been convened, with initial findings expected within six months.
Family members of the victims described the individuals as active professionals and parents. Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight-test engineer for the Department of Defense, had become a father for the second time four months before the accident. Christopher Rischar, a contractor employee, was survived by his wife and two teenage children.
The B-52 bomber, in service since 1955, costs about $84 million per aircraft and typically carries a crew of five. Edwards Air Force Base is located in the Mojave Desert, roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles.