Update - 6:50 PM Eastern:
Sadly, we have an update on the Stratofortress crash near Edwards Air Force Base late Monday morning. Reports now indicate that all eight crew members on board are believed to have perished in the incident.
Eight crewmembers are believed to have been killed after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, on Monday, officials said.
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"An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," Edwards Air Force Base said in a statement. "Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel."
Original Story:
The U.S. military is reporting that a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert around 11:20 am Monday.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin reports:
Edwards Air Force Base in California confirms that a U.S. B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff. No word on the crew yet. https://t.co/f3FJ3RS4sM
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 15, 2026
RedState’s Buzz Patterson responded with a heavy heart:
BREAKING: Damn. This just happened. Prayers up for all involved, especially the families! These are so rough. 😢Training is dangerous! 🙏🇺🇸✝️ pic.twitter.com/e7pbhiQDLT
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) June 15, 2026
Emergency crews are on the scene at the base, which is around 120 miles north of Los Angeles. "Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing," the base said in a statement.
The aircraft is key to U.S. air power:
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range bomber used for a variety of military missions. Capable of subsonic speeds and altitudes of 50,000 feet, the bomber was a workhorse of Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and has been the backbone of the United States' bomber force for decades.
It typically carries a crew of five.
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Photographs show that the situation is severe:
🚨 JUST IN: EXPLOSION SPOTTED after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress reportedly CRASHED at Edwards Air Force Base
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 15, 2026
Absolutely terrifying, pray for everyone on board 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/kZgZ0xF7pj
RedState will keep you updated as new information comes in.