B-52 accident update – Edwards releases names of fallen crew members > Edwards Air Force Base > AFMC News
Summary
Car Crash Edwards California in Edwards, California: A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base during a routine test mission on Monday. Eight crew members were killed, and the base released their names in an update published on June 17, 2026.
Publicly reported parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Col. Gregory Watson | Unknown | Fatal |
| Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella | Unknown | Fatal |
| Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton | Driver | Fatal |
| Maj. Alexander Davis | Unknown | Fatal |
| Maj. Robert Dee | Driver | Fatal |
| Maj. Brad Hovey | Driver | Fatal |
| Jeromy Smith | Unknown | Fatal |
| Christopher Rischar | Unknown | Fatal |