The strategic bomber B-52 Stratofortress of the U.S. Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California. This was reported by the press service of the base.
"The B-52 Stratofortress of the U.S. Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base at 11:20 AM (21:20 Latvian time). Emergency service crews immediately arrived at the scene," the publication on the social media platform X states.
According to the command, emergency response units were promptly dispatched to the crash site, but information about possible casualties has not yet been provided. The incident occurred in the morning local time, with a column of black smoke rising over the base, as captured in footage circulating on social media.
Meanwhile in Russia
On the same day, a supersonic missile-carrying bomber Tu-22M3 crashed in Russia.
The aircraft crashed in the Irkutsk region while approaching for landing, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.
According to the ministry, the bomber was conducting a scheduled training flight, and the crew ejected; there is no threat to the pilots' lives and health.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that the aircraft was flying without munitions. In the ministry's statement, the crash of the aircraft is referred to as an accident. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane crashed near the city of Svirsk.
For reference
Tu-22M3 - a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber. These aircraft are part of the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Long-range aviation aircraft are one of the components of the Russian nuclear triad, but they can also strike with conventional missile-bomb armaments, including cruise missiles.
B-52H Stratofortress - an American multi-role strategic bomber with a practical flight ceiling of about 15,000 meters, in service with the U.S. Air Force since the mid-20th century. The aircraft can carry a wide range of armaments, including nuclear munitions and precision-guided munitions, and remains one of the key elements of the air component of the U.S. strategic forces.
