Air Force Pilot Killed In Las Vegas Identified

LAS VEGAS, NV - Nellis Air Force Base released the name of the pilot who was killed Wednesday in a crash at the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, of Valencia, CA, died on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. when his F-16 Fighting Falcon went down during a training flight. An investigation into what caused the crash is underway.

"We are mouirning the loss of Major Del Bagno. 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," said Brigadier Gen. Jeannie Leavitt.

According to his bio on the United States Air Force Thunderbirds website, Del Bagno graduated from Utah Valley State University in 2005 and was commissioned from Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama in 2007. He was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and banner tow pilot before he joined the Air Force.

Del Bagno recorded over 3,500 total hours in the air, including 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot.

Image via United States Air Force