Thunderbirds prepare for performance at Air Force Academy graduation

One of the big moments during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony on Wednesday will be the traditional fly over and performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. That team has been in town since Monday practicing for the big show.

This is just their second planned show after the tragedy last month when Maj. Stephen Del Bagno was killed in a crash during training near Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

The Thunderbirds canceled several shows after that, and it was unclear whether or not they were going to make it to the graduation at all this year.

Over the weekend at a show in Virginia, they flew for the first time since that crash.

KRDO spoke with one of the pilots on Tuesday, and he said that their crew will return to their mission with their heads up, to honor their fallen teammate.

As always, the Thunderbirds are planning their first pass over graduation tomorrow at the precise moment that the cadets will throw their hats, followed by a full-scale performance.