KCCI EIGHT NEWS STARTS WITH BREAKING NEWS. WE HAVE LEARNED AN IOWA NATIVE WAS AMONG THE EIGHT PASSENGERS KILLED IN A B-52 CRASH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE U.S. AIR FORCE SAYS 35 YEAR OLD MAJOR BRAD HOVEY, BORN IN ALGONA, WAS ON BOARD THE BOEING B-52 STRATOFORTRESS WHEN IT CRASHED AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE ON MONDAY. WE’VE ALSO CONFIRMED HE WAS A 2009 GRADUATE OF ADEL DE SOTO BERNE HIGH SCHOOL. IN THE LAST HALF HOUR, GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS RELEASED A STATEMENT SHARING CONDOLENCES. SHE SAYS IN PART, QUOTE, WE ARE REMINDED OF THE INCREDIBLE SACRIFICE DEMANDED OF EVERY AMERICAN WHO CHOOSES TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY. AS WE HONOR MAJOR HUBBIE’S LIFE AND SERVICE, LET US NEVER FORGET THE COST OF OUR FREEDOM. THE OTHER VICTIMS INCLUDE WEAPONS SYSTEM OFFICERS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL GABRIEL ESTRELLA AND MAJOR ALEXANDER DAVIS. TEST SQUADRON PILOTS MAJORS ROBERT D, FLIGHT TEST ENGINEERS JEREMY SMITH AND CHRISTOPHER RISHER, RETIRED LIEUTENANT COLONEL MILES MIDDLETON AND COLONEL GREGORY WATSON. MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY CREWS WERE ABOUT TO FLY A ROUTINE TEST MISSION. NEW FLIGHT TRACKING DATA SHOWS THE B-52 BOMBER WAS IN THE AIR FOR JUST THREE MINUTES, AND THAT THE PLANE TURNED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BEFORE NOSEDIVING INTO THE GROUND. THE MILITARY SAYS THEIR
Iowa native among 8 killed in B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base
An Iowa native was among the eight people who died Monday when a B-52 bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.Air Force officials identified the victims in a news release Wednesday, including Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, who they say was born in Algona. Hovey was a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron based at Edwards Air Force Base. The ADM (Adel) Alumni Association confirmed that Hovey was a 2009 graduate, and Iowa State University confirmed that he graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.Military officials did not immediately provide any further information on Hovey.Video above: Timelapse of smoke from B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force BaseIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement Wednesday: “Along with every Iowan, Kevin and I mourn the loss of Maj. Brad Hovey and we offer our sincere condolences and prayers for his family. Again, we are reminded of the incredible sacrifice demanded of every American who chooses to serve our country. As we honor Maj. Hovey’s life and service, let us never forget the cost of our freedom.” The bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in the Mojave Desert and burst into flames, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said.”It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I can now share the names of the eight extraordinary Americans we lost during Monday’s B-52 crash,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, said in the news release. “They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates.”Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their families, loved ones and fellow Airmen, Air Force civilians and mission partners affected by this tragedy.”The other 7 victims included: Col. (select) Gregory Watson, 53, weapon systems officer, Boeing (Air Force reservist, assigned 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas), Shreveport, La.Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, Calif.Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif. Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, Calif.Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down around 11:20 a.m. Monday during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, which is north of Los Angeles. Black smoke rose from a large swath of charred desert near the runway on the base, with emergency vehicles nearby. After reviewing footage of the crash, it was determined that no one could have survived, Col. James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412 test wing at Edwards, said at a news conference.“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer said. “Our immediate focus is supporting the families of the teammates we lost and ensuring that all appropriate resources are available to them during this time of unimaginable loss.”“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer said. “Our immediate focus is supporting the families of the teammates we lost and ensuring that all appropriate resources are available to them during this time of unimaginable loss.”It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, and it could take up to six months to complete an investigation, Hayes said, but shared that the B-52 was supporting the “radar modernization program.”Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayVideo: Timelapse of smoke from B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force BaseB-52 began flying in the 1950sThe B-52, a long-range bomber that entered service in 1955, is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. It has been used in conflicts involving the U.S. military from Vietnam to Iran.Along with a new radar, the fleet of 76 B-52s are scheduled to receive additional upgrades, including new engines, crew compartments, conventional and nuclear communication systems, avionics and weapons. The military said the goal is to make the B-52 a complement to the Air Force’s newest strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider.Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down at the base in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Officials determined no one could have survived after reviewing footage of the crash, Hayes said at a news conference.Those on the B-52 included government contractors, Boeing employees and uniformed military.Edwards is home to the 412th Test Wing, which conducts regular developmental testing of all Air Force aircraft, weapons systems, software and components before purchase by the service as well as throughout their life span. Test missions take place at Edwards daily, Hayes said.The base is where Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager reached a speed of Mach 1.05 and broke the sound barrier in 1947.
An Iowa native was among the eight people who died Monday when a B-52 bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.
Air Force officials identified the victims in a news release Wednesday, including Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, who they say was born in Algona. Hovey was a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron based at Edwards Air Force Base. The ADM (Adel) Alumni Association confirmed that Hovey was a 2009 graduate, and Iowa State University confirmed that he graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.
Military officials did not immediately provide any further information on Hovey.
Video above: Timelapse of smoke from B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement Wednesday:
“Along with every Iowan, Kevin and I mourn the loss of Maj. Brad Hovey and we offer our sincere condolences and prayers for his family. Again, we are reminded of the incredible sacrifice demanded of every American who chooses to serve our country. As we honor Maj. Hovey’s life and service, let us never forget the cost of our freedom.”
The bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in the Mojave Desert and burst into flames, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said.
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I can now share the names of the eight extraordinary Americans we lost during Monday’s B-52 crash,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, said in the news release. “They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates.
“Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their families, loved ones and fellow Airmen, Air Force civilians and mission partners affected by this tragedy.”
The other 7 victims included:
- Col. (select) Gregory Watson, 53, weapon systems officer, Boeing (Air Force reservist, assigned 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas), Shreveport, La.
- Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.
- Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, Calif.
- Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.
- Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
- Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.
- Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, Calif.
Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down around 11:20 a.m. Monday during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, which is north of Los Angeles. Black smoke rose from a large swath of charred desert near the runway on the base, with emergency vehicles nearby.
After reviewing footage of the crash, it was determined that no one could have survived, Col. James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412 test wing at Edwards, said at a news conference.
“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer said. “Our immediate focus is supporting the families of the teammates we lost and ensuring that all appropriate resources are available to them during this time of unimaginable loss.”
“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Tauer said. “Our immediate focus is supporting the families of the teammates we lost and ensuring that all appropriate resources are available to them during this time of unimaginable loss.”
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, and it could take up to six months to complete an investigation, Hayes said, but shared that the B-52 was supporting the “radar modernization program.”
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Video: Timelapse of smoke from B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base
B-52 began flying in the 1950s
The B-52, a long-range bomber that entered service in 1955, is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. It has been used in conflicts involving the U.S. military from Vietnam to Iran.
Along with a new radar, the fleet of 76 B-52s are scheduled to receive additional upgrades, including new engines, crew compartments, conventional and nuclear communication systems, avionics and weapons. The military said the goal is to make the B-52 a complement to the Air Force’s newest strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider.
Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down at the base in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Officials determined no one could have survived after reviewing footage of the crash, Hayes said at a news conference.
Those on the B-52 included government contractors, Boeing employees and uniformed military.
Edwards is home to the 412th Test Wing, which conducts regular developmental testing of all Air Force aircraft, weapons systems, software and components before purchase by the service as well as throughout their life span. Test missions take place at Edwards daily, Hayes said.
The base is where Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager reached a speed of Mach 1.05 and broke the sound barrier in 1947.