Identities of 8 crew members who died in B-52 crash are released

The identities of the eight crew members of the US Air Force B-52 bomber that crashed near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15 have been announced by the military.

“These airmen were more than colleagues. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, said in a statement released Wednesday, June 17. “They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates.”

The long-range B-52 Stratofortress aircraft crashed after embarking on a test mission in support of the radar modernization program, the military base said earlier.

The crew consisted of both uniformed personnel and civilians, officials said.

“Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with their families, their loved ones and the Air Force civilians, Air Force civilians and mission partners affected by this tragedy,” Tauer said.

Edwards Air Force Base crash deaths

The US Air Force identified the victims of the June 15 plane crash as follows:

• Air Force Col. Gregory Watson, a 53-year-old weapons systems officer from Shreveport, La., who works for Boeing

• Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, a 40-year-old weapons systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, California.

• Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, California.

• Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapons systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.

• Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, California.

• Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, California.

• Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.

• Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, California.

Loved ones commemorate those who lost their lives in the B-52 crash

Former Air Force Officer and Flight Test Specialist Michael Kelly said he worked “side by side” with Middleton for two years and asked the nation to pray for his family.

“He was the best of the best,” Kelly wrote on social media the day after the crash. “He always had a quick wit and deep technical knowledge of BUFF and flight test procedure.”

Kelly also shared A GoFundMe has been created To take care of Middleton’s wife and two children.

“Funds raised will help cover immediate expenses and bills and provide some relief as they adjust to this new reality,” wrote Melissa Lynch, who started the fundraising page. “In addition to daily living expenses, we hope as a community to raise funds for children’s college, so that despite the heartbreak they are experiencing, they can look forward to a brighter future. Your support will help ease the financial burden and give Pam and her children a sense of hope and security.”

Jeromy Smith’s wife, Lauren Smith, called her late husband a “leader” and “hero.” Interview with KBAK.

“He died doing what he loved,” he said.

The couple has two children and celebrated their fourth anniversary of marriage on June 11. “I hope one day they look back and say their father was a hero,” he said.

What did the authorities say about the accident?

Col. James Hayes, deputy base commander, told reporters at a news conference the day of the crash that the crash was “considered non-survivable” and predicted the investigation would take six months.

“We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said of the victims.

The crash was the first on the base since a twin-engine plane crashed on May 18, 1992. Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise It crashed during landing, killing both crew members on board. All seven passengers were seriously injured – according military archives Reviewed by USA TODAY.

Contributed by Brian Day and Michael Loria – USA TODAY

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Victims of B-52 bomber crash near Edwards Air Force Base identified