The Blue Angels pilot killed in a crash Thursday in Tennessee has been identified as Capt. Jeff Kuss, a 32-year-old Marine Corps pilot from Colorado.
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A USA official identified the pilot killed Thursday as Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.
A native of Durango, Colo., Kuss joined the Blue Angels in September 2014 and had accumulated more than 1,400 hours of flight time.
The Duluth Airshow is thankful the Thunderbirds pilot survived, and expresses honest condolences on the loss of Blue Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children, his family, and the Blue Angels”.
The Angels are set to perform a show over the weekend at the airport in the town of Smyrna, Tenn., near Nashville, and Hayes was on hand Thursday afternoon to watch them practice the demonstration.
Cpt Kuss was from Durango, Colorado, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines in 2006.
That is why he says it is shocking when a crash like this happens.
The International Council of Air Shows Foundation has established a family fund in Kuss’ memory.
Relatives say a Blue Angels pilot who died when his jet crashed in Smyrna had wanted to fly since he was a child. “A big, big billow of fire came up”, said Belinda McGriff, whose granddaughter shot the video of the Blue Angels crash (via The Tennessean). The pilot was able to eject safely in that case.
CyclingTips offers its deepest sympathies to the Kuss family, and to the Blue Angels community, during this hard time. “The loss of Captain Jeff Kuss, a hero who was doing what he loved, is devastating to those who knew him, to the Navy, and our country”.
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The pilot of the fighter jet ejected safely, the Air Force said on Twitter. Not only was he a decorated member of the USA military, but Kuss was also friendly, steadfast and determined to inspire the next generation to reach new heights. “Our whole goal is to honor those who have gone before, and unfortunately, we had somebody who paid the full price yesterday, and we all feel that deeply”, said Great Tennessee Air Show Performer Michael Kennedy. The team had done a flyover in downtown Nashville earlier in the day. He told students, “Whatever you want to do, we’re here to encourage you to do that”.
