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Identities of 8 crew members who died in B-52 crash are released
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Air Force has identified the eight crew members who died in the June 15 B-52 bomber crash near Edwards Air Force Base, including both military personnel and civilians working on a radar modernization test mission.
- The victims included Col. Gregory Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, Maj. Alexander Davis, Maj. Robert Dee, Maj. Brad Hovey, flight test engineer Jeromy Smith, and contractor Christopher Rischar.
- Family and colleagues remember the crew as dedicated professionals and heroes, with fundraising efforts underway to support the families, particularly for the late retired Lt. Col. Middleton’s wife and children.
- Officials described the crash as unsurvivable and expect the investigation to take approximately six months; this was the first fatal crash at Edwards AFB since 1992.
- Base leaders expressed deep condolences, emphasizing the loss of “eight great Americans” who were valued members of the Edwards and Air Force community.
