US identifies eight killed in B-52 test flight crash in California

The Pentagon has released the names of those killed in this week’s fiery crash of a B-52 during a test flight at California’s Edwards Air Force Base.

The victims were identified as Col. Gregory Watson, 53; Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34; Maj. Robert Dee, 40; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35; Jeromy Smith, 32; and Christopher Rischar, 41, Caliber.Az reports, citing the AP News.

They included four active-duty airmen, one reservist, and three civilians working on a team responsible for keeping the long-serving bomber operational for decades, military officials said.

The airfield where the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress went down shortly after takeoff on June 15 remains closed, although other base activities have resumed, according to a spokesperson.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and officials say the investigation could take up to six months.

“They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates,” said Col. Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards, in a statement.

Aviation safety experts say early possibilities include a failure in flight controls or engines, though it is far too early to determine the cause. Investigators will also examine the aircraft’s age and maintenance history.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov