BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Eight individuals died following a B-52 Stratofortress crash shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base during a routine test mission on Monday.
The names of the deceased were released by Colonel Thomas Tauer, Commander of the 412th Test Wing, after notifications to next of kin were completed. “These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer stated.
The victims are identified as:
- Colonel Gregory Watson, 53, weapon systems officer, Air Force reservist, Shreveport, Louisiana.
- Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Edwards AFB, California.
- Retired Lieutenant Colonel Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Tehachapi, California.
- Major Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, Lancaster, California.
- Major Robert Dee, 40, pilot, Edwards AFB, California.
- Major Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, Edwards AFB, California.
- Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, Rosamond, California.
- Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, Lancaster, California.
The crash is under investigation by an Interim Safety Investigation Board. The airfield remains closed until further notice. Authorities are providing support to the families of the deceased.