Gov. Kim Reynolds has directed that flags across Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunrise Friday, July 10, until sunset Friday, July 17, in memory of U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Hovey, a 35-year-old Iowa native who died June 15 when a B-52 bomber crashed during a training mission at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Community in Adel mourns local officer
Hovey’s death has reverberated in his hometown of Adel, where friends, former classmates and neighbors described him as engaged in school and community life from an early age. Local accounts note his participation in sports, choir and scouting, culminating in the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2014 with a degree in aerospace engineering.
"He was just a great kid."
Residents said the news has left many in Adel shocked and looking for ways to support his family as they grieve. The crash that killed Hovey also took the lives of several others; investigators have said determining a cause could take months.
What the order means and why it matters
Lowering flags is a formal gesture from the state recognizing Hovey’s military service and the loss his family and community are enduring. The weeklong period for half-staff display follows the governor’s proclamation and gives towns, state agencies and local governments clear timing for the observance.
- Who: Maj. Brad Hovey, U.S. Air Force, age 35
- What: Flags in Iowa ordered to half-staff
- When: Sunrise July 10 to sunset July 17
- Where: Statewide; Hovey’s hometown is Adel
The governor’s order is part of a pattern of state recognition when Iowans serving in the armed forces die in the line of duty. For small communities such as Adel, those recognitions bring statewide attention to local loss and can help coordinate public memorials or official condolences.
Background on the crash
The B-52 crash occurred during a training flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Federal aviation and military investigators are leading the inquiry; officials have warned it may take months to determine a cause. The accident has prompted responses from military and civilian leaders and renewed public attention on the risks inherent in military flight training.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Maj. Brad Hovey |
| Age | 35 |
| Hometown | Adel, Iowa |
| Education | Iowa State University, aerospace engineering, 2014 |
| Flags half-staff | Sunrise July 10 — Sunset July 17 |
In Adel, residents are organizing informal ways to remember Hovey and to support his family. City officials or organizations planning formal memorials typically coordinate with state and military representatives; those details had not been released at the time of the governor’s proclamation.
The state order offers a visible, statewide expression of mourning and respect for Hovey’s service. As investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the crash, communities across Iowa will observe the week of lowered flags in his honor.
