A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashes just after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California on Monday, June 15, 2026

Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California became a disaster scene Monday when a gigantic U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff.

“Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing,” officials said. “More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

ALERT: A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 a.m.

Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing. More information will be provided as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/x932d3HXHz

— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

The crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. Pacific, and by 12:48 p.m., the military announced: “The airfield has been closed, and all inbound aircraft are being diverted.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

“All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.”

Update- 12:48 PDT: 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.

— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

“Please join me in praying for the B-52 crew at Edwards Air Force Base and the entire Edwards community,” U.S. Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., wrote on X.

WATCH: New video from near the crash site shows intense fire and thick black smoke following the reported B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base. pic.twitter.com/o8VTDK9h1c

— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) June 15, 2026

The New York Post reports: “An $85 million nuclear-capable B-52 Stratofortress has crashed in a huge explosion at California’s Edwards Air Force Base.

BREAKING: A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base, triggering an emergency response.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene as thick black smoke billowed from the wreckage scattered across the desert airfield.

More details, including… pic.twitter.com/JRx3R4ElJW

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 15, 2026

“A massive cloud of black smoke appeared in the skies above Kern County after the enormous military jet smashed into the ground shortly after takeoff.

Airmen operate radar and navigation controls inside a B-52H Stratofortress during a task force mission over the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Sept. 16, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

“Other images showed the smoldering remains of the aircraft with a massive black shadow across the site where it made impact.”

BREAKING: A U.S. Air Force B-52H-BW Stratofortress heavy bomber, serial number 60-0061, assigned to the 93rd Bomb Squadron, crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base at 11:20 a.m.

Unfortunately, all crew members lost their lives in the accident. They had no time… pic.twitter.com/fcE4lITbji

— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) June 15, 2026

Eight people are believed to have died in the crash.

🚨 BREAKING: EIGHT crewmembers are now believed to be dead after a devastating US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California — CNN

It was on a routine test mission, and crashed shortly after takeoff.

Rest in peace, heroes and patriots 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Xfj41RPLKw

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 15, 2026

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