The U.S. Air Force has released the names of the eight crew members who perished when a B-52 Stratofortress went down near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15. The aircraft, a long-haul bomber, was on a test mission for a radar modernization program when it crashed shortly after takeoff.
Colonel Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing, described the fallen as far more than colleagues. “These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” he said in a statement on June 17. “They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates.”
The crew included both uniformed personnel and civilians. Among the victims was former Air Force officer and flight tester Michael Kelly, who recalled working “side by side” with one of the deceased, Middleton, for two years. “He was the best of the best,” Kelly wrote on social media. “He always had a quick wit and deep technical knowledge of the BUFF and flight test procedure.”
Kelly also shared a GoFundMe campaign to support Middleton’s wife and two children. Organizer Melissa Lynch wrote that the funds would cover immediate expenses and bills, with a goal of raising money for the children’s college education. “Your support will help ease the financial burden and give Pam and her kids a sense of hope and security,” she said.
Lauren Smith, wife of victim Jeromy Smith, called her late husband a “leader” and a “hero” in an interview with KBAK. The couple, who have two children, had celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on June 11. “I hope that they look back one day and say their dad was a hero,” she said.
Colonel James Hayes, a base deputy commander, told reporters at a news conference that the crash was “deemed to be unsurvivable” and that the investigation would likely take six months. “We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said.
The crash was the first at Edwards since May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise crashed during landing, killing two crew members and injuring seven passengers, according to military archives reviewed by USA TODAY.
Contributing: Brian Day and Michael Loria – USA TODAY
