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A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber plane has "crashed shortly after take off" from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, the base said in a statement.
The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT). The base did not say whether there were any injuries as a result of the crash, which sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles
"Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing. More information will be provided as it becomes available."
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed "the Buff", which is short for "Big Ugly Fat".
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