Eight presumed dead after B-52 bomber crashes at California Air Force base

Why it matters locally: The crash occurred at Edwards Air Force Base in San Bernardino County, a major hub for Air Force flight testing and development that employs thousands of workers in the region.

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed at Thirtieth Air Base in Southern California on Tuesday, with military officials reporting eight people presumed dead. The aircraft went down around 11:20 a.m., according to a statement the Air Force posted on the social platform X. Air Force officials did not immediately release additional details about the crash, including the circumstances that led to the incident or confirmation of the eight deaths. The agency typically conducts investigations following accidents involving military aircraft. Thirtieth Air Base, located in San Bernardino County, houses the 412th Test Wing and serves as a center for Air Force flight testing and development. The B-52, a long-range strategic bomber that first entered service in 1955, remains a core component of the U.S. Air Force fleet. The Air Force said it would provide updates as information becomes available.