The lost airman is identified as the number 4 slot pilot:
Release No. 3
Date: 2018-04-05
Thunderbirds Pilot Identified
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Slot Pilot Thunderbird 4, Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, 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.
Thunderbirds Pilot Identified > Nellis Air Force Base > Display
Major Del Bagno's professional biography from the Thunderbirds website, his picture is at the link below:
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.
Members | U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds
Originally Posted by
OK465
The last 'fix' was a change of commander. What will Jeannie come up with this time?
Good question. Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh has been CO for only one airshow and a flyover. When he was installed less than five months ago to replace Jason Heard, Brigadier General Leavitt was quoted on the Thunderbird website:
“At this particular point in time, the Air Force needs an experienced leader and skilled aviator who understands the unique challenges and opportunities associated with the Thunderbirds and I can think of no one more qualified for this position than Lt Col Kevin Walsh,” said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander.
Walsh assumes command of Thunderbirds squadron | U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds
Walsh's predecessor was fired by Leavitt under circumstances that supposedly had nothing to do with the rollover on landing mishap at Dayton.
Walsh replaces Lt. Col. Jason Heard, who was removed last month after Heard led “a highly successful show season,” but his commanding officer “lost confidence in his leadership and risk management style,” an Air Force statement said.
An Air Force spokeswoman said in a Nov. 30 email Heard continued to serve in a “non-supervisory position” with the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The Thunderbirds are based there.
The Air Force did not elaborate on specifics behind the firing, but an Air Force spokesman on Wednesday said in an email the incident was “unrelated” to a Thunderbird jet mishap in June in Dayton.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news...etSTH15b8yDhK/
The Navy has fired several skippers of the Blue Angels over the years. Was Heard's firing the first for a Thunderbird leader?
Remember the days when the slot man's tail was allowed to turn black over the season from the leader's exhaust soot?