NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Slot Pilot Thunderbird 4, Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, a graduate of Saugus High School, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range April 4, 2018 at approximately 10:30 a.m. during a routine aerial demonstration training flight.
“We are mourning the loss of Major Del Bagno,” said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander. “He was an integral part of our team and our hearts are heavy with his loss. We ask everyone to provide his family and friends the space to heal during this difficult time.”
An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap.
The team’s participation at the March Air Reserve Base “The March Field Air & Space Expo” has been cancelled. It is unknown how this accident will impact the remainder of the 2018 Thunderbirds Season.
According to the Thunderbird website, Maj. Stephen Del Bagno is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. He is a 2005 graduate of Utah Valley State University, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. in 2007.
Before joining the Air Force, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and a banner tow pilot.
He enjoys snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
He has logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot. Del Bagno is in his first season with the team and hails from Valencia, Calif.
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4/Slot Pilot, preforms preflight checks in his F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 26, 2018. Del Bagno was killed when his aircraft crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a practice aerial demonstration on April 4, 2018. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4/Slot Pilot, prepares to march to his F-16 Fighting Falcon during a modified ground show practice at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 26, 2018. Del Bagno was killed when his aircraft crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a practice aerial demonstration on April 4, 2018. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4/Slot Pilot, and Staff Sgt. Michael Meister, Thunderbird 4 Dedicated Crew Chief, await the signal to start their F-16 Fighting Falcon during a practice show at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Mar. 14, 2018. Del Bagno was killed when his aircraft crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a practice aerial demonstration on April 4, 2018. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4/Slot Pilot, (pictured third from the left) marches to his F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside the five other Thunderbird pilots during a practice show at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Mar. 14, 2018. Del Bagno was killed when his aircraft crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a practice aerial demonstration on April 4, 2018. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Stephen Del Bagno’s Saugus High School graduation picture. Del Bagno graduated in 2001.
Del Bagno stands next to a plane he flew in high school. He received his pilot’s license during the 2000-2001 school year.
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds are scheduled to fly over Hollywood and the Santa Clarita Valley Monday afternoon, March 4, in celebration of the upcoming film "Captain Marvel" and in honor of Maj. Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno, a Thunderbird pilot and Saugus High School grad who…
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, a United States Air Force Thunderbirds pilot and a graduate of Saugus High School who died on April 4 during a routine aerial training flight in the Nevada Test and Training Range, lost consciousness before the fatal crash, according to a report released by the Air…
Thousands of people from all over the country have shown an outpour of support for the family and friends of Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, a United States Air Force Thunderbirds team member who died last week.
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My deepest condolences to Joe Del Bagno and family for the loss of their son Maj. Stephen Del Bagno. May Our Lord bring you all peace and comfort at this difficult time. RIP Maj. Stephen Del Bagno and Thank You For Your Service To Our Country.
He was an amazing person and died doing what he loved the most in the entire world! We have truly lost someone special! I’m honored to have known a top of his class Air Force pilot and Thunderbird!
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22 Comments
So sad! What year grad?
Link not working – Forbidden message
So sorry for the Delbagno’s lost! Thoughts and prayers for the family!
?? Prayers for your family and friends. Thank You for your ultimate sacrafice????
God Bless ??
Hector Sherman Jimmy Sherman
My deepest condolences to Joe Del Bagno and family for the loss of their son Maj. Stephen Del Bagno. May Our Lord bring you all peace and comfort at this difficult time. RIP Maj. Stephen Del Bagno and Thank You For Your Service To Our Country.
Wow this is awful!! Steve was on swim team with me back in high school and used to always talk about being a pilot. I’m so sad. ?
Not only was he a pilot, he was a Thunderbird pilot!!! You don’t get any better than that! Only the elite of the elite get to do that!!!
How heartbreaking! God bless him, and his family. May God hold them close during this difficult time. ??????
Brooke Edwards we went to high school with him
Yes we did.
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RIP..Sympathies to your family.
Brian Perl
He was an amazing person and died doing what he loved the most in the entire world! We have truly lost someone special! I’m honored to have known a top of his class Air Force pilot and Thunderbird!
This is very sad Nik.. terrible tragedy… but undoubtably a life well lived
RIP ?
So sad
Sean McPartland
Wow, what a tragedy.
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