Eight Airmen Identified in Edwards AFB B-52 Crash

Eight Air Force crewmembers were identified after a B-52 Stratofortress crash during a radar-modernization test near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15, killing all aboard. The crew included both uniformed officers and civilians from Boeing and a JT4 contractor, and their names are Col. Gregory Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, Maj. Alexander Davis, Maj. Robert Dee, Maj. Brad Hovey, Jeromy Smith and Christopher Rischar. Col. Thomas Tauer called them valued teammates, while Col. James Hayes said the crash was unsurvivable and the investigation could take about six months; families have started fundraising to support the bereaved.