Sad, tragic and awful moment.
Thinking of the BUFF crew, family and friends and everyone at ACC and AMC today.
As an AF, DEP kid - I knew and lived among these Patriots when they were serving in what was still called SAC.
During the East Asia campaigns, then Cold War overwatch days.
Constantly around other kids & families at TLQs, PX, etc on & off base. 3 different bases around USA.
Christmas parties and July Fourth BBQs on base in neutral secure areas within sight of the Stratofortress wings. If they had to depart - they had to go fast.
Grew up with the 2 weeks “on alert” two weeks off during overwatch. The missing holidays - before that the months away for three different tours.
These crews and families sacrifice a lot to keep our country & allies safe.
A profound & heartfelt loss today.
Other than those shared thoughts and prayers to families affected - I can only offer this to the crew as I’m sure they knew it well… a poem that my Dad found profound and touching…
“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of…
Wheeled and soared and swung
high in the sunlit silence.
Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along,
and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air ....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace…
Where never lark, or even eagle flew,
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod,
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
"Letter to Parents," September 3, 1941
A U.S. Air Force B-52 "Stratofortress" has crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Emergency crews are responding. The condition of the crew is unknown at this time.