The US Air Force has confirmed the identities of the eight crew members who died in a B-52 bomber crash that occurred on June 15, 2026, near Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft was involved in a test flight when it tragically went down shortly after takeoff.

The crew members included Colonel Gregory Watson, 53, from Shreveport, Louisiana, who was working at Boeing as a civilian employee while also serving as a reserve officer in the US Air Force. Other victims were identified as:

• Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella, 40, a weapons systems officer at the Air Force's Operational Test and Evaluation Center.
• Retired Lieutenant Colonel Miles Middleton, 50, a pilot working for Boeing.
• Major Alexander Davis, 34, a weapons systems officer with the 419th Flight Test Squadron.
• Major Robert Dee, 40, a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron.
• Major Brad Hovey, 35, a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron.
• Christopher Rischar, 41, a flight test engineer employed by defense contractor JT4.
• Jeromy Smith, 32, a flight test engineer with the 419th Flight Test Squadron.

Colonel Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing, expressed condolences, stating, "These airmen were not just colleagues; they were friends, mentors, teammates, and valued members of the Edwards and US Air Force family." Boeing also released a statement mourning the loss of Miles Middleton and Gregory Watson, highlighting their significant contributions to the team.

The investigation into the crash is expected to take up to six months. Initial reports indicate that the B-52 experienced a sharp right turn and a near 180-degree roll before descending at an alarming rate of approximately 1,541 feet per minute, which is nearly ten times the normal descent rate during landing. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti has raised concerns about possible control issues, suggesting that the aircraft may have had a malfunction related to its control systems or engine failure.

As the investigation continues, safety teams are working to secure the crash site to facilitate recovery efforts, following a resurgence of fires in the area.