NewsWorld newsUS Air ForceA United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber has crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California20:20, 15 Jun 2026Updated 08:46, 16 Jun 2026At least eight people have died after a bomber aircraft crashed at a major US Air Force base.‌A huge column of smoke was seen billowing over the base in California after officials confirmed a bomber aircraft had come down.‌Authorities at Edwards Air Force Base revealed that, "A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 am."‌Several hours after the crash, the base announced eight had been killed in the crash.“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.. Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable. Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel,” a statement read.Pictures of smoke ascending over the base, located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California, were shared online. "Did something just happen at Edwards Air Force Base? Currently seeing a large column coming from the base, cams are aligned with one of the runways," one user posted‌The Air Force and NASA conduct test flights of new and developmental aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base.Edwards Air Force Base stands in the western Mojave Desert in Southern California, about 100 miles from Los Angeles. It is considered a large base that spans over 300,000 acres, predominantly in Kern County, with portions extending into San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.Article continues belowA spokesperson for the base saidin an update after the incident: “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.”The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range bomber first introduced in the 1950s that remains a central part of the US military's air power. Built by Boeing and typically carrying a crew of five, the aircraft is capable of loading both conventional and nuclear weapons over long distances and has been used in conflicts ranging from Vietnam to recent operations in the Iran war.Edwards Air Force Base in California is home to the Air Force Flight Test Center and serves as the Air Force Materiel Command’s center of excellence for flight research and development, as well as the testing and evaluation of aerospace systems from early concept through operational use in combat.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌US Air ForceBreaking NewsCalifornia