US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes shortly after takeoff in California

The U.S. Air Force said a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from a military base in California. The service confirmed the incident occurred immediately after the aircraft departed the base but did not specify which installation was involved. The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons. It entered service during the Cold War and has remained in the U.S. inventory through decades of modernization programs. The aircraft has been used in U.S. military operations in Vietnam, the Gulf, the Balkans and the Middle East. The Air Force did not immediately release information on the status of the crew or personnel involved in the crash. No further details were available.