{"id":7512,"date":"2026-06-18T11:31:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T11:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/who-were-the-8-victims-killed-in-the-edwards-air-force-base-b-52-bomber-crash\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T11:31:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T11:31:56","slug":"who-were-the-8-victims-killed-in-the-edwards-air-force-base-b-52-bomber-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/who-were-the-8-victims-killed-in-the-edwards-air-force-base-b-52-bomber-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"Who were the 8 victims killed in the Edwards Air Force Base B-52 bomber crash?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

Bereft loved ones, compatriots and community members mourned the losses of the eight people killed in Monday\u2019s deadly B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base after the Air Force publicly identified the victims Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Read more Sacramento County begins $1.4M replacement of failing Fair Oaks sound wall<\/a><\/p>\n

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The crew of eight \u2014 including active-duty Air Force officers, flight test engineers, defense contractors and a civilian government employee \u2014 was conducting a routine test flight for the bomber\u2019s modernization program Monday when their B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on Edwards\u2019 15,000-foot runway. Authorities determined the crash was \u201cunsurvivable.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After a 24-hour waiting period to notify next of kin, officials released the names of the eight victims Wednesday morning: Col. Gregory Watson, 53; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34; Maj. Robert Dee, 40; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35; Jeromy Smith, 32; and Christopher Rischar, 41.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates,\u201d Col. Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing, told service members and family members at the Kern County base. \u201cOur thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their families, loved ones and fellow airmen, Air Force civilians and mission partners affected by this tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Col. Gregory Watson<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Col. Gregory Watson, 53, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was serving as a Boeing weapons systems officer aboard the B-52 Stratofortress when it crashed Monday, killing everyone on board. He is survived by his wife, Michele, and their six children.<\/p>\n

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Watson, an Air Force reservist recently assigned to the 10th Air Force, spent nearly a decade as a command weapons systems officer with the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He held numerous leadership roles, including commanding the 343rd Bomb Squadron, and logged more than 3,200 flight hours in the B-52H.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe was a mentor, a leader, and a true friend to so many of us,\u201d a spokesperson for the 307th Bomb Wing wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday<\/u>. The wing also made mental health counseling, chapel, crisis intervention, and military and family readiness resources available to its community following Watson\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

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The Krewe of Gemini, a Mardi Gras organization in the Shreveport-Bossier community of which Watson, his wife and one of their daughters were members, also mourned his passing Wednesday.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou will be deeply missed and never forgotten,\u201d a spokesperson for the organization wrote in a Facebook post<\/u>.<\/p>\n

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The Krewe of Gemini has strong ties to military families and veterans in the area. Watson attended the group\u2019s theme announcement party Saturday, according to KTBS<\/u>, the ABC affiliate in Shreveport.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Town of Haughton and the Bossier Parish Police Jury also offered condolences and said flags would be flown at half-staff in honor of the eight crew members killed Monday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, of Louisiana was a weapons systems officer assigned to the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, at Edwards Air Force Base.<\/p>\n

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Serving aboard the B-52 Stratofortress that crashed Monday was a \u201conce in a lifetime flight\u201d for Estrella, his widow, Brianna, wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday<\/u>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe died doing what he loved,\u201d Brianna Estrella wrote. \u201cHe woke up every day excited to go to work. He would tell anyone who would listen that being a Weapons System Officer was his dream job.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Estrella was a devoted husband and father, Brianna Estrella wrote, adding that he always encouraged their children to pursue their dreams and build careers they loved. He is survived by his wife, daughter and two stepsons.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend. My mentor. The father figure I never knew I needed,\u201d Noah Lepper, 20, and Estrella\u2019s stepson, wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday<\/u>. \u201cThank you for always loving my brother and I unconditionally.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Noah\u2019s younger brother, Elijah Lepper, 18, graduated from Vista Murrieta High School in early June and is headed to San Jos\u00e9 State University to study aviation, according to his mother. His stepfather was his \u201cbest friend\u201d and \u201cbiggest motivator,\u201d he wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday<\/u>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Calling Estrella her \u201cbest friend,\u201d Brianna wrote that her family\u2019s \u201chearts are shattered. He is, and always will be, our hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, of Tehachapi was working as a Boeing pilot on the B-52 modernization program when he died in Monday\u2019s bomber crash. His sudden passing has left his wife, Pamela, to raise their two children alone, Melissa Lynch, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement.<\/p>\n

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Lynch organized the GoFundMe<\/u> campaign on Monday to cover immediate expenses and create college funds for the couple\u2019s son and daughter. Contributors have since raised over $120,000 of its $140,000 goal for the bereft family.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot make any sense of this at all,\u201d Jerimy S.H., a close childhood friend who described Middleton as a \u201cbrother from another mother,\u201d wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday<\/u>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jerimy said he texted Middleton after hearing about the crash Monday to check whether he was all right.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI constantly checked to see if it had been read, but this morning it still just says \u201cDelivered,\u201d he wrote. He added that Middleton was a natural-born leader, loving husband, father, and great friend.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019ll have more to say in the next few days and weeks and months and years as I remember my friend, but right now I can\u2019t wrap my mind around the fact that he is gone,\u201d Jerimy wrote.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Alexander Davis<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, of North Carolina, was a weapon systems officer for the 419th Flight Test Squadron, and had flown B-52 missions for years before the tragic crash that claimed his life. He is survived by his mother, aunt, uncle and other relatives.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe was a proud airman that loved what he did,\u201d Karen Davis Gardner, Alexander Davis\u2019 aunt, wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday<\/u>.<\/p>\n

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After earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University in 2015, Davis completed a master\u2019s degree in space studies with a concentration in aerospace science from American Military University between 2018 and 2022.<\/p>\n

Read more Why is a plan that\u2019s supposed to improve the freeway focusing so much on bikes?<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He was selected for the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School, stationed at Edwards, and attended the program after graduation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In a professional biography posted on Canvas last updated in 2022<\/u>, Davis demonstrated his passion for areospace studies and flight training, describing his extensive education and flight experience. He led bomber crews consisting of more than five people on missions lasting more than 36 hours and oversaw a squadron of 86 airmen, ensuring their combat readiness and coordinating logistics for transportation and lodging.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Robert Dee<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Robert Dee, 40, of Edwards, was a pilot assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base. He is survived by his wife, Ashlee, and their three children.<\/p>\n

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\u201cRobert was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and proud Air Force test pilot. He dedicated his life to serving his country and to the people he loved most,\u201d Rebecca Sasser, Dee\u2019s sister-in-law, wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement<\/u> Tuesday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The campaign aims to \u201cprovide stability and support as Ashlee and the children adjust to life after this sudden and tragic loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Contributors had raised over $45,000 for the bereft family as of Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Community members also mourned Robert Dee\u2019s loss, commemorating his impact.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of you might remember him and his children at base camp around the fire making s\u2019more,\u201d Shelley Robinson, a member of Ready 2 Rock 4×4, a group of four-wheel drive off-road enthusiasts that Dee was a part of, posted on Facebook<\/u> Wednesday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be greatly missed at High Sierra this year. Thank you for your service and your ultimate sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Brad Hovey<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Maj. Brad \u201cSlate\u201d Hovey, 35, of Algona, Iowa, was a pilot assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hovey, a native Hawkeye, is survived by his family, including his 8-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cAlong with every Iowan, Kevin and I mourn the loss of Maj. Brad Hovey, and we offer our sincere condolences and prayers for his family,\u201d Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote in a statement Wednesday<\/u>. \u201cAgain, we are reminded of the incredible sacrifice demanded of every American who chooses to serve our country. As we honor Maj. Hovey\u2019s life and service, let us never forget the cost of our freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A graduate of Adel-Desoto-Minburn High School, Hovey was nominated by Sen. Chuck Grassley to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 2008.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The ADM Alumni Association mourned Hovey\u2019s loss in a Facebook post Wednesday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cOur deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Major Brad Hovey, ADM class of 2009, who tragically lost his life in the crash of a B-52 Bomber the other day at Edwards Air Force Base,\u201d a spokesperson for the association wrote<\/u>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Before commissioning in the Air Force, Hovey earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in military studies from Iowa State University, where he participated in Air Force ROTC.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jeromy Smith<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Jeromy Douglas Smith, 32, of Rosamond, was a flight test engineer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron. He had become a father to his second son just four months before the crash.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He is survived by his wife, Lauren, his parents and his sons, ages 2 and 4 months.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t be real. There\u2019s no way that it\u2019s real. It was supposed to be another routine day of work,\u201d Lauren Smith said Tuesday to KABC-TV in Los Angeles<\/u>. \u201cHe\u2019s been doing it for 10 years, and it\u2019s the same routine every day. Get up, get ready, kiss me goodbye… I was heartbroken when I heard that his plane went down.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Becoming an aeronautical engineer was Smith\u2019s dream, and he was well-respected for his dedication and work ethic, Victor Smith, Smith\u2019s uncle, wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday<\/u>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jeromy Smith\u2019s sister-in-law, Lindsey Smith, described Jeromy Smith as an \u201cincredible husband and amazing father\u201d in a GoFundMe campaign she organized<\/u> Monday to help her sister navigate \u201cbeing a newly single mom, while also having to grieve the love of her life.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Contributors have since raised nearly $50,000 of the campaign\u2019s $125,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Christopher Rischar<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Christopher \u201cHustler\u201d Rischar, 41, of Lancaster, was a JT4 contractor serving as a flight test engineer aboard the B-52 Stratofortress. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and their two teenage children.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rischar was a third-generation Edwards Air Force Base employee, \u201cfollowing in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and sharing their love of aircraft,\u201d a family member wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement<\/u>. He worked at Edwards for 10 years as a test director and weapons systems integration engineer before his death.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rischar married \u201cthe love of his life,\u201d Rebecca, in 2009, and the couple had two children. Because he was a contractor, the campaign said, his family will not receive the same survivor benefits available to government employees.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThese funds would mean a lot to his family facing an uncertain future without him,\u201d a family member wrote in the campaign statement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Members of Rischar\u2019s hometown church in Lancaster have also rallied to raise funds<\/u> to ease the costs of housing and final arrangements for Rischar\u2019s wife, Rebecca, who was a stay-at-home mother. The family faces the loss of their husband, father, and sole-breadwinner, and are \u201cfacing sudden, immense financial uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more SLO County book banners targeted a Nobel Prize winner. That\u2019s the true offense | Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The eight people killed in the Edwards Air Force Base B-52 crash included Air Force officers, engineers and contractors remembered by loved ones.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california"],"yoast_head":"\nWho were the 8 victims killed in the Edwards Air Force Base B-52 bomber crash? - San Diego Relocation News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/who-were-the-8-victims-killed-in-the-edwards-air-force-base-b-52-bomber-crash\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Who were the 8 victims killed in the Edwards Air Force Base B-52 bomber crash? 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