Edwards Air Force Base in California on Wednesday, June 17, identified the eight people killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on June 15, 2026.
The plane went down during a routine test mission tied to radar modernization work. All aboard died in the fiery wreck that left little intact.
Air Force Identifies 8 Victims of B-52 Crash
The victims included active-duty and reserve military members, a retiree, and civilians working as flight test engineers and contractors. Two worked for Boeing.
Here is what officials and family members have shared about each one.
Col. Gregory Watson, 53
He served as a weapons systems officer. He worked with Boeing as an Air Force reservist assigned to the 10th Air Force out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas. He lived in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40
He was also a weapons systems officer and worked with the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, at Edwards.
Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50
He flew as a pilot for Boeing. He lived in Tehachapi, California, near the base.
Maj. Alexander Davis, 34
He served as a weapons systems officer with the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards. He lived in Lancaster, California.
Maj. Robert Dee, 40, and Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, filled other key roles on the flight, according to the base release.
Jeromy Smith, 32
He worked as a civilian flight test engineer for the Department of Defense. He had spent about 10 years at Edwards with the 419th unit.
His wife, Lauren Smith, described him as a leader and hero who left behind two young sons, including a 4-month-old. She said the plane had issues before takeoff.
Christopher Rischar, 41
He served as the second flight test engineer on the mission.
Col. Thomas Tauer and other base leaders offered condolences and called the crew dedicated professionals who supported important test work.
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An interim safety board began its investigation immediately in the quest to know what triggered the deadly crash. However, it has been revealed that the full probe could take months. The airfield stayed closed for a time after the crash.
According to reports, the B-52 has flown for decades as a backbone of the Air Force bomber fleet. This test flight involved new radar equipment as part of a big modernization effort.
Boeing confirmed two of its employees died and said it contacted their families.
Edwards sits in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. It operates as a main hub for flight testing.
The crash happened around 11:20 a.m. and left a large burn scar visible from the air. Emergency crews responded quickly, but the impact and fire left no chance for survival.
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Friends and other Americans have remembered Watson’s ties to community groups back in Louisiana. Others spoke of Smith’s devotion to his family and work.
The Air Force asked for time to finish notifying all next of kin before more details came out.
This is a rare fatal B-52 loss in recent years. The last one happened in 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, where the crew survived with injuries.
Investigators will examine everything from maintenance records to flight data and the new test gear on board.
Edwards Air Force Base officials described the crash as a horrible tragedy that took eight great Americans.
They said the eight men represented years of experience in flying, testing, and engineering, adding that their work helped keep the B-52 fleet equipped for whatever missions.
