SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds paid tribute to one of their own – Maj. Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno, who was killed in a tragic training accident last year on April 4, 2018. The Thunderbirds flew over the home of Del Bagno’s parents in Valencia, Santa Clarita in California. The emotional flyover was performed last Tuesday on March 5, on the day of the world premiere of the ‘Captain Marvel’ movie. The major was a consultant on the movie ‘Captain Marvel’ – the Hollywood superhero movie that premiered nationwide last Thursday. Del Bagno even has a brief cameo in the film and his callsign ‘Cajun’ appears a few times in the background.
The Thunderbirds performed an emotional flyover above the home of Del Bagno’s parents in Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA on Tuesday March 5. Video: ABC7
The Thunderbirds flew over Hollywood Boulevard Monday to kick off the premiere of “Captain Marvel” and paid tribute to Thunderbird #4 – Maj. Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno, who was killed in a training flight last year. Video: ABC7
The Thunderbirds put on quite a show in Hollywood…but the story behind their rare and spectacular flyover is even more dramatic – Brie Larson was trained for Captain Marvel by Thunderbird pilots Matt ‘Spider’ Kimmel and Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno. They even made cameos in the film. One week after filming, Del Bagno was killed in a Thunderbirds accident. Now – on the screen and in the air – ‘Cajun’ is being celebrated. Video: Elex Michaelson
Del Bagno’s excitement at becoming a full-fledged member of the team was evident in a January 30, 2018 video documenting the moment he and other newly-minted Thunderbirds received their iconic red flight helmets. Video: USAF Thunderbirds on AirForceTimes
The Thunderbirds honored Thunderbird #4 with this beautiful video when they resumed the 2018 airshow season at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, in May last year. Video: afthunderbirds In Honor of USAF Thunderbirds #4 – Major Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno. A true American Hero. Photo: USAF Thunderbirds
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