BUFF goes down off Guam

Most of you have already heard about this as it is a big story, but I'm a little late to get it up here. An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed about 30 miles off the coast of Guam this morning enroute to conduct a flyover at a parade ceremony. The AP is reporting that two crewmembers have been found, however their condition has not yet been released. No word as to whether or not they were the only crewmembers on board as the BUFF typically carries a crew of six. There is also no word on what caused the crash of this Barksdale AFB-based B-52 although the Air Force has already begun an investigation. This is the first loss of a B-52 since 1994 at Fairchild AFB, which coincidentally took place during a non-combat flight at an air show. Of course, this comes in the same year as another high profile bomber crash at Guam when a B-2 went down in February. We'll try to keep you posted as things develop with this.

UPDATE: 05:24Z 7.24.08

Unfortunately, the Air Force announced that none of the 6 crewmembers on board survived the crash. They have now shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation.

(Danger Room)

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