Barksdale, local Mardi Gras community mourn loss of airmen killed in B-52 crash

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - The local military and Mardi Gras communities are mourning the loss of the airmen killed in a B-52 Stratofortress crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday. That crash claimed the lives of eight crew members, two with connections to Barksdale.

Edwards Air Force Base confirmed the deaths Wednesday morning. Those with local ties are Col. Gregory Watson, 53, a weapon systems officer, Boeing (Air Force reservist, assigned 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas), and Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

"Though he was most recently assigned to 10th Air Force, Greg spent nearly a decade as a cornerstone of the 307th. From leading the 343rd Bomb Squadron to guiding our Airmen in numerous leadership roles across the Wing, he was a mentor, a leader, and a true friend to so many of us. As a Master Weapon Systems Officer with over 3,200 hours in the B-52H, his dedication to the mission was matched only by his devotion to the people he served alongside," states a post from BAFB 307th Bomb Wing. 

In an internal memo shared with personnel and released publicly, Gen. S. L. Davis, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, and CMSgt. Shawn M. Aiello expressed profound grief over the incident.

"It is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of sorrow that we reach out to you today following the tragic loss of eight lives, including incredible members of our Air Force family," the statement read. "The strategic deterrence we provide is the bedrock of our national defense, but we are reminded today that this vital mission carries inherent and sobering risks. The souls we lost dedicated their lives to ensuring that our capabilities remained strong, safe, and ready."

The loss has deeply impacted the Shreveport-Bossier community, which shares a historic and cultural bond with the B-52 bomber fleet based at Barksdale.

The Krewe of Gemini, one of the area's prominent Mardi Gras organizations with strong ties to local military families and veterans, released a statement mourning the loss of the crew. Krewe officials extended their deepest condolences to the families of Watson of Haughton and Estrella, who formerly served at Barksdale.

Watson was a member of the Krewe of Gemini and attended last weekend's theme announcement party.

The other Team Edwards members are:

• Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing, Tehachapi, Calif.
• Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Lancaster, Calif.
• Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
• Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
• Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Rosamond, Calif.
• Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, Calif.

The Bossier Parish Police Jury and Town of Haughton also added their condolences to the families. Both said flags at their facilities will be flown at half-staff. The BPPJ will lower its flag beginning at noon today and continuing until 8 a.m. Monday. 

"The loss is especially personal to our community. Our prayers are with their families, friends, fellow Airmen and all who knew and loved them," the Town of Haughton stated in a Facebook post that also noted the town is home to many veterans, active-duty Airman, military families and citizens whose lives are tied to the U.S. Air Force.

The aircraft, which was assigned to the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, crashed shortly after takeoff during a test mission.