New father among eight killed in Edwards AFB B-52 crash during radar-test mission

Eight people were killed when a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California during a radar-system test for a modernization program. Among the victims was Jeromy Smith, a Defense Department civilian flight test engineer who had just welcomed a son four months ago and leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, Fletcher; his wife Lauren spoke about his dedication to the country. Boeing confirmed two of its employees were also killed. The crash is under investigation, with initial fact-finding up to 30 days before an Accident Investigation Board reviews the case, and final findings may take months to release.