Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, a decorated test pilot, has been identified as the first victim of Monday's deadly B-52 Stratofortress crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
He is survived by his wife, Pam, and their two children. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family in the wake of the tragedy.
Middleton spent years in key leadership roles within the Air Force's flight-testing program, including leading the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base from 2016 to 2018.
A GoFundMe page organized by a family friend describes the devastating impact of Middleton's death on his loved ones.
The campaign notes that Pam now faces the responsibility of supporting the family on her own and aims to raise funds for the children's college education.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials concluding that none of the occupants could have survived.
