A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, resulting in the deaths of all eight personnel on board.
According to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters, the incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time on June 15 at the base located in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
The Air Force's 412th Test Wing stated that the B-52 was conducting a routine test mission when it went down shortly after takeoff.
James Hayes, deputy commander of Edwards Air Force Base, expressed his condolences during a press conference, stating, “We have lost eight great Americans.” Initial assessments indicated that there appeared to be no chance of survival, and rescue and firefighting teams were deployed immediately to the scene.
Aerial footage and on-site videos captured thick black smoke rising from the crash site, with little debris remaining. Reuters reported that the area around the crash site was scorched to about the size of a soccer field, with hardly any visible wreckage.
The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Following the incident, Edwards Air Force Base closed the airfield and redirected incoming aircraft, while military authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash and working to identify the victims.
The B-52 Stratofortress has been a key long-range strategic bomber for the U.S. Air Force since the 1950s. It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons and has been deployed in major military operations, including the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War.
Edwards Air Force Base, located north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert, serves as a critical testing facility for the U.S. Air Force. The 412th Test Wing is stationed there, responsible for testing new aircraft, weapon systems, and upgrades to existing airframes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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