Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight test engineer and father of two young boys, has been identified as one of the eight people killed in Monday’s B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
His wife, Lauren Smith, told KBAK/KBFX that the sudden loss “flipped our world upside-down.”
The couple had recently welcomed their second child, a baby boy now four months old. They had also just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on June 11.
Lauren said she first learned about the crash from a friend, then turned to the news and social media. She said she quickly realized the aircraft involved was her husband’s plane.
She told the station she spent hours hoping and praying he was safe. She said official confirmation did not come until about 6 p.m., when a commander and chaplain came to her door.
Lauren said her deepest sadness is that Jeromy will not get to watch their sons grow up. She said she hopes to raise them into wonderful people, just like their father.
Lauren described Jeromy as a man who loved planes and had worked at Edwards Air Force Base for 10 years. She said he “died doing what he loves.”
A GoFundMe started by Lauren’s sister says Jeromy leaves behind two boys, ages 2 and a half years old and 4 months old. The fundraiser describes him as an incredible husband and father.
Lauren said she hopes her sons will one day look back and know that their dad was a hero.
The B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base at about 11:20 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2026. Military officials said the aircraft was on a routine test mission.
Officials said all eight people on board were killed. The victims included military personnel, government civilians and contractors.
Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed. Miles Middleton, a Boeing employee, has also been publicly identified through family and fundraising posts.
The aircraft was in the air for about 3 minutes and 15 seconds before the crash, according to flight tracking data reported by NBC San Diego.
Col. James Hayes said the aircraft went down immediately after takeoff and that the crash was not survivable. Officials have not determined a cause.
The Associated Press reported that investigators may need months to determine what went wrong. The aircraft was part of a radar modernization program intended to keep the B-52 flying for decades.
Edwards Air Force Base opened an emergency family assistance center after the crash. The center is meant to give affected families and base personnel a safe place to receive support and resources.
The crash has shaken the close-knit Edwards community and the wider military aviation world. For Lauren Smith and her two sons, the tragedy is now personal in a way few families could ever prepare for.
As investigators begin their work, Jeromy Smith’s family is left holding on to the memory of a husband, father and engineer who loved aviation and died in service to that work.