Thunderbirds cancel CAFB air show

The Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team has cancelled its next two air shows following the death of the team’s No. 4 slot pilot Major Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno, according to team's commander Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh. The AF demo flight team will not perform at the Lakeland, Fla., "Sun-N-Fun Fly-In & Expo" or the "Wings over Columbus" air show at Columbus AFB, Miss., according to a video statement from Lt. Col. Walsh. There is a possibility that more 2018 shows may be cancelled. The squadron, according to Walsh, is prioritizing Del Bagno's legacy and family. The team, part of the 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada, will host Del Bagno's family for a memorial service this week, Walsh said, but did not provide specifics. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Before joining the team, Del Bagno was an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter evaluator pilot and chief of standardization and evaluation with the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla. (Source: Military.com 04/09/18)