The U.S. military confirmed on the 15th that a B-52 strategic bomber crashed in
the southern Mojave Desert in California. The aircraft departed Edwards Air
Force Base at about 11:20 a.m. local time and crashed shortly thereafter; rescue
teams are en route. Local media place the crash site roughly 160 km north of Los
Angeles. Casualties are unknown. The B-52, nicknamed the Stratofortress,
typically has a five-person crew and can carry nuclear weapons and various
precision-guided munitions; it has been in service since 1955.
