8 presumed dead after B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashes at Edwards Air Force Base – One America News Network

June 16, 2026 Addie Davis US 0

A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in south-west England on March 15, 2026. Fairford is one of two bases, along with the Diego Garcia facility in the Indian Ocean, that the UK has given the US permission to use for "specific defensive operations into Iran" to destroy Iranian missiles at source, the British defence minister said in a statement. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images) — A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in south-west England on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Addie Davis and Lillian Mann
Monday, June 11, 2026

UPDATE: 4:30 PM PT: Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California has announced that all eight passengers aboard the United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber are presumed dead, according to authorities.

The aircraft was carrying out a routine test mission when the crash occurred, according to a statement released by the base on Monday afternoon.

The statement also added that “initial indications are that the crash was not survivable,” and the tragedy is currently being investigated.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and unit members at this time,” the Edwards Air Force Base said in an X post. “More information will be released as it becomes available.”

‼️ Official release regarding today’s B-52 crash at Edwards. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and unit members at this time.

More information will be released as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/410V2gqCFv

— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

12:49 PM: A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed at the Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, the base confirmed.

The crash reportedly happened at 11:20 a.m. PDT, shortly after take off, and emergency crews are currently responding to the scene as the situation remains ongoing, the base reported in a social media post on Monday.

The Edwards Air Force Base sits in Kern County, but its eastern end is in San Bernardino County and a southern arm is in Los Angeles County. The hub of the base is Edwards, California.

ALERT: A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 a.m.

Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing. More information will be provided as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/x932d3HXHz

— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

Update- 12:48 PDT: The airfield has been closed, and all inbound aircraft are being diverted.

All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.

— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber weighing approximately 185,000 pounds and capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional military payloads, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command. It typically boasts a crew of five people.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

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