Dodgers to honor B-52 crash victim Gabriel Estrella before NLDS opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday will honor weapon systems officer Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, one of eight people killed when an $85 million, nuclear-capable B-52 Stratofortress crashed in a huge explosion at California’s Edwards Air Force Base in June.

Three B-52s from the base will conduct a flyover during the National Anthem as part of the pregame ceremony ahead of the first National League Division Series game between the Dodgers and the visiting Atlanta Braves.

“The flight crew will be honoring fallen airman and the Military Hero of the Game, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella,” said a news release from Major League Baseball.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed shortly after take-off in June. Col. James Hayes called the crash “tragic and unsurvivable” during a press conference, and the eight people on board included a mix of uniformed military personnel, government civilians and government contractors. 

Video of the incident showed a massive cloud of black smoke appearing in the skies above Kern County after the enormous military jet smashed into the ground. Other images showed the smoldering remains of the aircraft and a vast burn scar at the crash site.

The official cause of the crash remains unknown.

Estrella, a Los Angeles native, had dreamed of attending a World Series game at Dodger Stadium. He attended in 2024 and 2025 and was looking forward to a “three-peat” this year, according to an obituary.

“I am so grateful that they are honoring him,” Estrella’s wife, Brianna, told NBC Los Angeles. “He truly was one of their biggest fans, and with him being an LA native, it means that much more.”

His obituary said he “loved sharing his passion for baseball with his family, especially taking his daughter to games and creating memories they would cherish forever.”

The 39-year-old Air Force veteran served for 17 years and shared three children with his wife.

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