Air Force Releases Names of the 8 Men Killed in Tragic B-52 Crash

Earlier this week, eight crew members were killed after a B-52 Stratofortress crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Those who died in the terrible crash included military service members, civilian workers, and government contractors.

Now, the Air Force has released all of their names and photos.

Take a look:

We honor the 8 AFMC Airmen, civilians, and contractors lost in the B-52 crash at Edwards AFB. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues. #HonorOurFallen #AFMC #USAF pic.twitter.com/57FCIwQzut

— U.S. Air Force Materiel Command ✈️ (@HQ_AFMC) June 17, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has officially identified the eight service members and contractors killed in Monday’s B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Those lost in the tragedy were Col. (S) Gregory Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, Maj.… pic.twitter.com/XeZ1WaO0QO

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 17, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has officially identified the eight service members and contractors killed in Monday’s B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Those lost in the tragedy were Col. (S) 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.

Here’s a closer look at their photos:

What a tragedy.

Please keep the families of these brave men in your prayers.

An Air Force press release has more:

he base has released the names of the eight people killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards during a routine test mission on Monday.

“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I can now share the names of the eight extraordinary Americans we lost during Monday’s B-52 crash,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, told workers and families at Edwards AFB. “They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates.”

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

The names are being released following a 24-hour waiting period after all next of kin notifications were completed, in accordance with Department of War policy.

The fallen Team Edwards members are:

• Col. Gregory Watson, 53, weapon systems officer, Boeing (Air Force reservist, assigned 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas), Shreveport, La.
• Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.
• Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, Calif.
• Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.
• Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
• Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
• Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.
• Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, Calif.

“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer said.

“Our immediate focus is supporting the families of the teammates we lost and ensuring that all appropriate resources are available to them during this time of unimaginable loss.”

The crash is currently under investigation by an Interim Safety Investigation Board. The airfield is closed until further notice.