Air Force World

摘要

A B-52H bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., crashed July 21 off the northwest coast of Guam during a training mission, claiming the lives of six airmen-five aircrew from Barksdale and a flight surgeon from Andersen AFB, Guam. The deceased airmen are: Col. George Martin, flight surgeon; Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D.Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael K. Dodson, 31, copilot; 1 st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd, 26, navigator; and 1st Lt. Robert D Gerren, 32, electronic warfare officer. Martin was deputy commander of 36th Medical Group. The mishap aircraft, which had no munitions aboard, was one of nine Barksdale B-52s that deployed to Guam in June for a four-month rotational stint to maintain the continual US bomber presence in the region. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on July 16 recommended to the White House that Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, be the next chief of the National Guard Bureau. "General McKinley is well-qualified for this important and historic assignment," Gates said during a press briefing on that day. McKinley would be the first officer to lead the National Guard as a four-star general based on a provision in the 2008 defense authorization act.