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Pilot Dies As Blue Angel Plane Crashes In Tennessee
June 2, 2016
A Blue Angels F/A18 aircraft crashed Thursday during the beginning stages of an afternoon practice at the Smyrna (TN) Airport, at approximately 3:01 p.m. Blue Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss of the U.S. Marine Corp died in the crash.
The other five Blue Angel jets were not involved in the incident and landed safely moments later.
The crash occurred approximately two miles from the runway. The Navy will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Kuss, a native of Durango, Colorado, graduated from Durango High School in 2002. He attended Fort Lewis College in Durango and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2006.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to complete training. Jeff reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in July 2007.
He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced training in the T-45A Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in November 2009.
Kuss then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the “Rough Raiders,” at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. He reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312), the “Checkerboards,” at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in February 2011, where he served as Squadron Mess Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Powerline Division Officer, and Pilot Training Officer.
He reported to U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2012 and graduated in September 2012
While assigned to VMFA-312, Kuss deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VMFA-312 earned the 2013 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association’s Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.
Kuss joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
Photo courtesy Halie Shults.
Comments
21 Responses to “Pilot Dies As Blue Angel Plane Crashes In Tennessee”
Now this is a real hero, I pray for the family for their great loss and make this hero rest in peace. God bless America.
From what l understand he died to make sure no one else did. He radioed that he was trying to get the plane away from people’s homes. He died saving others. That is a Hero. RIP Sir and prayers for the family. Be Proud!
What incredibly sad news. Praying for his family and friends.
:’(
This really melts my heart I love the blues I watch them fly wit my 18 month old I just saw them flying here in Pensacola what a tragic loss prayers for the pilot’s family and the Blue Angels
Stay out in Coral Creek and I don’t no what this side of town would be without the Blue Angles. Home turf here blue angle and gulf beach. Go Big Blue #Navynumber1.
I’m saddened beyond words for this fine officer, and his family. God Bless this man and his family.
This is tragic and I have all of them and their families in my prayers. I am a Blues fan as well, having grown up in a military family. I’ve seen them in Jacksonville, FL, Pensacola, FL, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Prayers for all!
Sir, I salute you!! RIP
I’m a big blue angels fan at heart my sympathy and my prayers for all of you guys and family and crew thanks
All give some, some give all. RIP my brother…
much respect from the Air Force side of the house. Much love to the best pilots in the sky. RIP
RIParadise sir. Prayers to the family of this fine pilot
I am sure we are all sick with grief over this! They are something to be proud of and we love to see them fly. The fact that we can see them fly more often by going to their practices has been great and I hope it will continue. God Bless this Blue Angel and the entire group. Praying for all of them and their families.
So sad. RIP sir.
Once a Angel always a Angel thoughts and prayers are with Blue Angels and the pilots family this is a sad day on the gulf coast praying for the family
My prayers go out not only to the loss of a Blue Angel ( who in the absence of life was instantly in the loving arms of Jesus), but his teammates. I grew up seeing the Angels practice over our house. We mainly were stationed in Pensacola), We grew up in a military family…went to every show, beach flights were always are favorites, the Tarmac shows.
It breaks my heart, even now as I cry, I know that that his loss was worth every tear. I know his family will be surrounded by his crew members. Let them also know the many who were inspired by his talent.
When I was young, we had a military car drive in (. We lived in a military community) and I saw every curtain, or door open wondering where it would stop, watch the officer and minister get out…it is the worst site to see, that site was all it took to know that a service man was lost…in this case a pilot. Even worse the relief that it was not my dad.
I will pray for the family, the crew members, (I know the head mechanic is going over and over in his head could it have been due to something that he missed), Jave Faith, Our prayers are with you!
Blue Angels have held my hands, have kept me safe and has given me the best and will still give me the finest memories. My name is Roman Blake Brodie I am from Pensacola Florida. From driving to the beach with my friends on a sunny day, when the breeze was just right. the glimmer of the water and the comforting sound of the angels flying over us, has always givin me solitude. protection and security.my family is praying for the loved ones of this angel. this is truly a tragedy. so much respect for the pilots all around and the one we hold so close to our hearts.
Prayers to the family.
Prayers for all the Blue Angels and there families!
Blues feel like family,
pray for theirs