Mission Trails District 10 Meeting – August 2026
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District 13 Tribute

District 13 Comes Together to Honor the Fallen of Edwards Air Force Base

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, members of District 13 of the Loyal Order of Moose, California Nevada Moose Association, gathered at the Palmdale Moose Lodge No. 507 for an evening dedicated to honoring the eight service members and civilians lost in the tragic B-52H Stratofortress crash at nearby Edwards Air Force Base.

The bomber, assigned to the 412th Test Wing, went down shortly after takeoff on June 15, 2026, during a routine test mission supporting the Air Force’s B-52 Radar Modernization Program. The crash claimed the lives of all eight people aboard — a mix of active-duty and retired military personnel, government civilians, and contractors:

• Col. Gregory Watson
• Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella
• Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton
• Maj. Alexander Davis
• Maj. Robert Dee
• Maj. Brad Hovey
• Jeromy Smith
• Christopher Rischar

Edwards Air Force Base sits just miles from the Antelope Valley communities served by District 13’s three lodges, and the loss was felt deeply throughout the local area. In response, Palmdale Moose Lodge No. 507 stepped forward to lead a district-wide benefit, with members of Rosamond Moose Lodge No. 415 and China Lake Moose Lodge No. 258 in Ridgecrest traveling to Palmdale to join the effort.

More than 200 Moose members and community supporters filled the Palmdale Lodge for the event, which featured a full dinner, a raffle, and live music. The evening paused for a solemn moment of silence in honor of the eight lives lost, a quiet tribute that brought the room together in shared gratitude and grief for the fallen and their families.

Every dollar raised through the dinner and raffle will go directly to support the families of the eight victims as they navigate the road ahead.

The event stood as a powerful reminder of what District 13 — and the Moose fraternity as a whole — is built on: neighbors showing up for neighbors, and communities rallying around those in need. Three lodges, one district, and one shared purpose came together for a single night to make sure the families of Col. Gregory Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, Maj. Alexander Davis, Maj. Robert Dee, Maj. Brad Hovey, Jeromy Smith, and Christopher Rischar know their community has not forgotten them.

Total funds raised: $4,850

Submitted on behalf of District 13, Loyal Order of Moose, California-Nevada Moose Association.