Tuesday, public officials honored Air Force Thunderbird Major Stephen Del Bagno, who was killed when his plane crashed during a routine demonstration and training flight in Nevada five years ago.

Maj. Del Bagno died on April 4, 2018, during a “routine aerial demonstration” in his F-16 Fighting Falcon near the Nevada Test and Training Range, according to a United States Air Force report released after the crash.

The Thunderbird pilot sustained more than 8 G’s — more gravitational force than the reentry of the Apollo 16 spacecraft — after flying about 22 seconds in inverted flight at over 5,000-foot elevation.

About one second prior to ground impact, the pilot began deliberate flight control inputs as he transitioned from absolute to relative incapacitation.

Del Bagno did not have time to eject.

On this day 5 years ago, #CA27 and our nation lost a real hero. Saugus native and Air Force Thunderbird pilot Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno set a true example of selfless service, and I am praying for his family on this difficult day. pic.twitter.com/eAjDDdgsi9

— Mike Garcia (@ElectMikeGarcia) April 4, 2023

Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, honored Del Bagno in a social media post on Tuesday.

“On this day 5 years ago, #CA27 and our nation lost a real hero. Saugus native and Air Force Thunderbird pilot Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno set a true example of selfless service, and I am praying for his family on this difficult day,” Garcia said.

Del Bagno was the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet, according to the Thunderbird website.

Known by flight moniker “Cajun,” the Saugus High School graduate continued on to Utah Valley State University, and was commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 2007.

Before joining the Air Force, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter and a banner tow pilot. He enjoyed snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends.

Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida.

He logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot.

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