Monday, April 16, 2018|9:29 a.m.
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno SANTA CLARITA, Calif.– Fighter jets flew overhead in the missing-man formation during a Southern California memorial for a U.S. Flying force Thunderbirds pilot who was eliminated in a crash throughout training.
Household, good friends and fellow pilots remembered Maj. Stephen Del Bagno during the gathering Sunday at Saugus High School, his alma mater.
His dad, Joe, mentioned Del Bagno’s pride in becoming part of the Flying force and a fellow member of the flight demonstration group praised his abilities.
The 34-year-old Del Bagno died April 4 when his F-16 Combating Falcon known as Thunderbird 4 crashed in the Nevada Test and Training Range north of Nellis Air Force Base.
Del Bagno’s name will be contributed to a wall at his high school that honors heroes.