Nellis AFB Welcomes New ‘Officer’ — Captain Marvel!

By Chuck N. Baker (Nellis Air Force Base) —
All types of aircraft can be seen and heard flying across the skies by residents of North Las Vegas. One of America’s most important Air Force facilities is located on Clark County property adjacent to the city. And local residents sometimes swear they also see various types of alien spacecraft cruising through the area’s cloud cover. Surely it can be said that sightings of flying machines near an airbase are to be somewhat expected.

However, what may be new to the local Nevada atmosphere is the description of a super heroine winging her way through the clouds over such North Las Vegas landmarks as Jerry’s Nugget, VFW Post 10047, Broadacres Swapmeet and the veterans memorial at the Grant Sawyer building on the south end of town.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal recently reported that “Captain Marvel” motion picture actress Brie Larson undertook a research visit to Nellis prior to taking on the role of the super lady. According to the article, Larson met with Brigadier General Jeannie Leavitt, the Air Force’s first female fighter pilot, who at the time was the commander of the 57th Wing at the base. Larson said that while speaking with the general and other Air Force personnel, she became more aware that the “Spirit of the Air Force” is individually ingrained in those men and women who serve at Nellis and at all the other U.S. air bases. It’s a self-assuredness and strong sense of humor that runs through the personalities and outlooks of the pilots and all other members of the fighting team, she added.

In the film, the super heroine comes up against antagonists known as the Kree, described as Smurf-shaped humanoids. There were none to be found at Nellis, but Larson did get to confer about flight with Leavitt. And she flew with Captain Danielle “Kazi” Park to gain familiarity with G-forces inside an F-16 Fighting Falcon. She reached 6.5, and threw up a lot while simulating dogfights. Leavitt and other Thunderbird members were special red carpet guests at the movie’s world premiere at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre.

Other Nellis personnel associated with the film included Major Matt Kimmel and Major Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno. The two Thunderbird pilots were assigned as on-set advisors, to help actors accurately depict fighter pilots. But Larson and the entire film crew — along with personnel at Nellis — had their hearts broken when one week after consulting on the film, Del Bagno was killed in a plane crash at the Nevada Test and Training Range. The film credits end with the statement, “In Memory of Major Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno, Thunderbird 4.”

At the Hollywood premiere, Air Force Secretary Heather Williams said she was encouraged to see young children celebrate a film, and perhaps become a part of the future story of the Air Force. According to published reports, Wilson told reporters, “All of have been inspired by moments in history, or films we’ve seen in our lives that inspired us to do something, or stand up, and I’m really hoping this touches young people about who they can become.” According to the Air Force, today it has 850 female pilots who fly aircraft. And who knows, there may be one ‘captain’ who takes to the skies without a machine of any type.