The Thunderbirds recognized the United States Air Force Academy’s Class of 2020 in Colorado Springs with a graduation flyover.
The Air Force “Thunderbirds flew over the Las Vegas valley in support of those on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A cross near Cactus Aveue and Decatur Boulevard marks the site of Las Vegas’ deadliest air disaster. On April 21, 1958, an Air Force fighter jet collided with United Airlines Flight 736 at 21,000 feet. Both aircraft plummeted to the ground and burned. All 47 people on the airliner and both men in the fighter jet were killed. The crash led to new air safety regulations, including the creation of what is now the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash site is now a parking lot. The cross on the hill behind it is the only sign of what happened there.
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno died Wednesday after a crash outside Las Vegas.
According to Nellis Air Force Base, his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range about 10:30 a.m.
The jet crashed during a routine training mission.
Brig. Gen. Jeannie Levitt, the commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base.
This is the second crash in less than a year for Nellis.
Another Air Force pilot was killed in September after a crash during a training mission.
Wednesday’s crash was the third U.S. military aircraft crash this week.
An Air Force Thunderbirds pilot died Wednesday after a crash outside Las Vegas. According to Nellis Air Force Base, his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range about 10:30 a.m. The jet crashed during a routine training mission. An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap. This is the second crash in less than a year for Nellis. Another Air Force pilot was killed in September after a crash during a training mission. Wednesday’s crash was the third U.S. military aircraft crash this week.