Pentagon Releases Names of Eight Killed in B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base – [your]NEWS

Published
June 17, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Edwards, California
Edwards Air Force Base
View on map
Incident type
Crash, Aircraft

Summary

Car Crash Edwards California in Edwards, California: An Air Force B‐52 crashed shortly after takeoff during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Eight crew members, including military personnel and civilian contractors, were killed.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Col. Gregory Watson Passenger Fatal
Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella Passenger Fatal
retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton Passenger Fatal
Maj. Alexander Davis Passenger Fatal
Maj. Robert Dee Passenger Fatal
Maj. Brad Hovey Passenger Fatal
flight test engineer Jeromy Smith Passenger Fatal
flight test engineer Christopher Rischar Passenger Fatal

Original reporting

Pentagon Releases Names of Eight Killed in B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base – [your]NEWS

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