SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) – A Blue Angels pilot who died when his F/A-18 fighter jet crashed near Nashville, Tennessee, had wanted to fly since he was a child, relatives said.
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These two squadrons, renowned for their aerial acrobatics and skilled pilots, have been performing air shows across the US for decades. “Those characteristics are what the Blue Angels will harness as we move forward”, said Cdr.
Kuss hails from Durango, Colorado and has accumulated in excess of 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. He served in Afghanistan before joining the Blue Angels.
The Blue Angels have been practicing this week in advance of the Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend.
The United States Air Force is investigating the crash, and anticipates having additional information for the public next week.
Kuss left behind his wife, Christina, and two children.
The crash occurred two miles from the runway from which the team had taken off, and and less than 100 yards from an apartment building.
As onlookers waited to be let out of the airport, Sawyer said a staff member who appeared to be with the Navy team drove up to the gate and asked the gate attendant if they had a good contact for a chaplain.
“I remember he stood so tall and he just exuded competence and confidence as the pilots do, but also friendliness and I enjoyed working with him, and I do offer my condolences for his family and friends”, said Lt. Col. James Bishop with the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover. Their performance has been canceled, but the airshow will go on as scheduled. A Navy spokesman couldn’t immediately provide the Blue Angels’ budget. The pilot ejected safely.
The Blue Angels was practicing for the Great Tennessee Airshow to be held this weekend at Smyrna airport.
It said: “I know that the Navy and Marine Corps Team is with me. I have ordered the Metro Courthouse and Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge to be lit yellow and blue tomorrow night in honor of the life and service of this courageous pilot”.
His death rocked the community, and was the first fatal crash involving a Blue Angels pilot in almost a decade.
“But this afternoon, something made me really want to watch them”, she said.
Kuss, from Colorado, and Cook, from Texas, shared a rural upbringing and loved talking about rodeos and ranching, he said.
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The Navy, which puts the money for the Blue Angels in its recruiting and advertising budget, included $34 million for the Blue Angels in its proposed 2017 budget. Events have included special community meetings with current and former Blue Angels and flyovers by the team of downtown Pensacola.
