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Pentagon releases the names of 8 people killed in B-52 plane crash at California Air Force base
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Eight men, including military personnel and civilian engineers, were killed when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California during a routine 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, and flight test engineers Jeromy Smith and Christopher Rischar.
- Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight-test engineer and father of two, had recently returned to work after paternity leave; his widow expressed sorrow and doubts about the plane's readiness for flight.
- The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range bomber in service since 1955, is a costly aircraft operated by a crew of five, and the crash is under formal investigation, with no immediate cause disclosed.
- Families and colleagues mourned the victims, highlighting their dedication, professionalism, and personal lives, with investigations expected to take up to six months for initial conclusions.
