A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 15, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The incident forced the closure of the airfield as authorities worked to assess the situation and investigate the cause of the crash.
Emergency response closes airfield
In a statement, the Edwards Air Force Base confirmed that the aircraft had crashed shortly after departure and that emergency services were immediately dispatched.
Images and aerial footage from the area showed scorched ground and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. The base later announced that the airfield had been closed, with all inbound aircraft diverted as emergency operations continued.
Authorities also suspended all non-commercial visitor passes until further notice to allow personnel to focus on the ongoing response.
Located approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles, Edwards Air Force Base is one of the United States’ most important aviation testing facilities and regularly hosts military flight operations.
One of the Air Force’s longest-serving aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, one of the most recognisable military aircraft in the world. First entering service in the 1950s, the bomber remains a key part of the U.S. Air Force’s long-range strike capability.
The B-52 is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons and can stay airborne for extended periods through aerial refuelling. Despite its age, the aircraft continues to serve in active operations around the world.
The bomber is typically crewed by five personnel and is known for its ability to conduct long-range missions at high altitudes.
U.S. lawmakers, including representatives whose districts cover the area, expressed support for the crew, their families and first responders following news of the crash.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and officials have not released details about those on board. An investigation is expected to begin once emergency operations at the scene have concluded.
As authorities work to establish what happened, further updates are expected from Edwards Air Force Base and the U.S. Air Force in the coming days.
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