Air Force opens up checkbook in quest to keep sought-after pilots from private sector | Stars and Stripes
Air Force Thunderbirds - Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4/Slot Pilot, prepares to march to his F-16 Fighting Falcon during a modified ground show practice at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan.
![Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, former Thunderbirds slot position pilot, places a hand on the airframe of the same aircraft (Slot Machine) he flew 35 years ago after completing Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, former Thunderbirds slot position pilot, places a hand on the airframe of the same aircraft (Slot Machine) he flew 35 years ago after completing](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/R5Y664/retired-us-air-force-lt-col-dale-cooke-former-thunderbirds-slot-position-pilot-places-a-hand-on-the-airframe-of-the-same-aircraft-slot-machine-he-flew-35-years-ago-after-completing-an-historic-flight-with-the-current-thunderbirds-slot-position-no4-jet-at-tyndall-air-force-base-fla-april-21-2017-cooke-and-slot-machine-inspired-generations-of-americans-across-200-performances-around-the-country-in-the-early-1980s-R5Y664.jpg)
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, former Thunderbirds slot position pilot, places a hand on the airframe of the same aircraft (Slot Machine) he flew 35 years ago after completing
![Can Prior Flight Experience Guarantee A Pilot Slot? | Airlines to Reserves | Mover Mailbag EP6 - YouTube Can Prior Flight Experience Guarantee A Pilot Slot? | Airlines to Reserves | Mover Mailbag EP6 - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oXUedZqs7P8/maxresdefault.jpg)