The Edwards Air Force Base community gathered at Hangar 1623 to honor the eight crew members who lost their lives in the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress crash that occurred shortly after takeoff during a routine test flight on June 15, 2026.
During the memorial service, families placed wreaths beside portraits of their loved ones as each of the eight victims was remembered by name: Gregory Watson, Gabriel Estrella, Miles Middleton, Alexander Davis, Robert Dee, Brad Hovey, Jeromy Smith, and Christopher Rischar.
The crew consisted of pilots, weapons systems officers, and flight test engineers involved in the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, an initiative aimed at upgrading the bomber’s radar systems and extending the aircraft’s operational life for decades to come.
The ceremony concluded with a military flyover, paying a final tribute to the fallen service members. The cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The memorial served as a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of those who support military flight testing, while families, colleagues, and the wider aviation community continue to mourn their loss.
