It was a dark day for our armed forces. A shocking airplane crash in Tennessee claimed the life of a daredevil Blue Angel pilot, while deadly floods killed at least five Army soldiers in Texas on Thursday.
The tragedies are a sobering reminder of the dangers our men and women in uniform accept as a part of their everyday lives — even when stationed at home.
But citizens are taking heart in the story that is emerging from the Tennesse crash, that say the Marine pilot made one final ultimate sacrifice that could have saved hundreds.
https://twitter.com/DanIsett/status/738489407217405952
A U.S. official said the pilot was Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. According to his official Blue Angels biography, Kuss joined the elite aerobatics team in 2014 and accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours.
It was the second fighter jet crash of the day for the military’s elite fighter jet performance teams. A member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds crashed in Colorado after a flyover for the Air Force Academy graduation where President Barack Obama spoke. That pilot ejected safely into a field.
Harry Gill, the town manager in Smyrna just outside Nashville, said Thursday that the Blue Angels pilot was the only casualty and no civilians on the ground were hurt.
The Navy said in a news release that the pilot was beginning to take off during an afternoon practice session when the crash happened. Five other F/A-18 jets landed safely moments after the crash.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Blue Angels after this tragic loss. I know that the Navy and Marine Corps Team is with me. We will investigate this accident fully and do all we can to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Adm. John Richardson, the Navy’s top officer, said in a Facebook post. The team is based at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.
Kuss was a native of Durango, Colorado, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines in 2006. He had previously served in Afghanistan before joining the Blue Angels.
“It’s hard to put into words right now, but it’s beautiful that a person can live and die engaged in their life’s pursuits,” said his grandfather, Dolph Kuss, reached at his home in Durango. “This was his dream since he was a child, to be an aviator, a flier.”
He choked back tears and said he was struggling to gather his thoughts.
“It’s hard to celebrate someone’s life in this way,” he said. “It is certainly a shock. Everything in life has its dangers, I guess.”
Kuss was married with two young children, his grandfather said.
In Texas, tragedy also struck. According to a report from The Associated Press, Army teams and other emergency crews searched along a Fort Hood creek for four soldiers still missing from a truck that overturned in the swift water, killing at least five and injuring three.
Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug said the search continued after teams late Thursday night found the bodies of two soldiers who had been in the vehicle. Three others were found dead shortly after the 2 ½-ton truck overturned in Owl Creek during a morning training exercise on the sprawling Central Texas army post.
Three soldiers were rescued and were hospitalized in stable condition.
Aerial and ground crews searched the 20-mile creek that winds through heavily wooded terrain on the northern fringe of the base. Army aircraft, canine search teams, swift-water rescue watercraft and heavy trucks were being used.
The Army did not release the names of the dead because it was still notifying relatives.
Fort Hood spokesman John Miller said the crossing was flooded by two days of intermittent heavy rains when the swift water swept the truck, called a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, from the road. The vehicle resembles a flatbed truck with a walled bed and is used to carry troops.
The base has seen fatal training accidents before. In November 2015, four soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise. And in June 2007, a soldier who went missing for four days after a solo navigation exercise died from hyperthermia and dehydration while training in 90-degree heat.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
God Bless. as a former naval avaitor there is always that thin line between quick death and the feeling of true life and free don. Semper Fi
These brave Pilots are flying in planes that should have been scrapped years ago but Obama can spend billions on vacations and visiting China, South American Countries, England,His birth place (Kenya) Japan and Cuba. All these countries he didn’t make a good impression. Hopefully Trump will tell the UN they have NO RIGHTS IN THE USA.GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY! Taxes should go to Military! NOT TO REFUGEES, CRIMINALS AND WELFARE/MEDICAL. TO MUCH FRAUD!
Well said
I agree completely. May God bless his family and may they take comfort in knowing that their loved one sacrificed himself to save many others. A true hero.
Im with you,our troops need the best equipment and what ever is necessary for their safety and wellbeing! Instead Obama steadily decreases spending for oyr military so he can help all tge illegals and muslim refugees,butvTrump will get this right, i cant hardly wait!
I hope Trump gets his chance, but Hillary and those behind her will stop at nothing to put her in the White House. Look at the 2012 elections, half the countries precincts were still open when the election was conceded. Every state has reported voter fraud with Hillary. I dont put it past the demoncrats to do whatever it takes to stop Trump. Look what happened to JFK.
Couldn’t agree more! As a former Marine pilot, I grieve for my brother and his family. God bless.
SemperFi
Nellie, i completely agree with your post and your comments, but I have just one request, please add Netanyahu and Israel to your long list of things, like countries, people and different programs, that should not be getting or even entitled to receive from the American tax payers money. Just like in your comments, (1) all of the tax payers money should stay with in the American borders, (2) Be divided and used to help the military serviceman and women coming back with both medical and mental problems (3) Used to help some senior’s programs (the person or persons are disabled, very low or very low fixed income’s and only have their SS as their only source of income). As for Welfare, it should be a one time thing only and a set limit for NOT more than six months total . No increases during that time for any extra children being added (unless the woman was pregnant at the time of signing up for the program.
When I first saw your comments about Israel not receiving any financial help from America, I was about to say no way. But then I read the rest of your blog, and it made complete sense! Politicians are spending tax payers dollars like it is there own money. Since I have no confidence in anyone in Washington DC to do the right thing, restrictions need to be set up so that no appropriation of funds with out the vote of “We the People”. Perhaps if we get back to following the Constitution Of the United States ,things will change in america. Perhaps it will start with Mr. Trump. I really don’t know where the Republic is headed,but wee do need people of character and common sense idea’s and ideals.Your article proved you have both!. Have a good day mate.SP
VNVET-
“100% of what is collected is absorbed solely by interest on the Federal Debt … all individual income tax revenues are gone before one nickel is spent on the services taxpayers expect from government.”
– Grace Commission Report, submitted to President Ronald Reagan on January 15, 1984
It is a common belief that “taxpayer dollars” are used for some gov’t product or service – but it’s an error.
THE FA18EF IS ONE OF THE SAFEST FIGHTER JETS OUT THERE. THE F 22 RAPTOR FALLS IN BEHND. I WORKED FOR NORTHROP AND WAS ONE IF THE DESIGNERS FOR THE HYDRAULIC SYSTE,M. I HAVE FLOWN THE F18CD. THE F 18EF IS ALL COMPOSITE AND TITANIUM. IT IS SO LIGHT THAT IT STARTED TO TAKE OFF ON THE FIRST TAXI TEST. THEY STALL VERY EASLY BECAUSE THERE SO LIGHT. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CASE. HE TOOK OFF TO STEAP OF AN ANGLE AND STALLED. THEN LOOSING LIFT AND CONTROL. WHEN AT NORTHROP WE HAD THE BLUE ANGELS COME AND I FLEW THEM UP TO EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE TO SEE THE B2 BOMMER . YOUNG GUYS. GODS SPEED TO HEAVEN MY PILOT MATE.
Puniser, You are quick to call this pilot error. As a former Marine fighter pilot I would take issue with your quick estimate of this accident. Don’t you think with over 1400 hours Capt. Kuss would feel a stall coming on?
You engineer types are always quick to shift the blame on the pilot instead of the A/C. That bird is ancient and I’m sure with O’bummer as our so called leader, the money for the parts required to maintain these plane are in Iran or set aside for his next vacation.
RIP Capt Kuss Semper Fi!
I’m an engineer who flew in the Navy.
First, the Blues fly A-D models, not the E/F. The E/F did not “[start] to takeoff on the first taxi test.” Next, stalls occur at an specific angle of attack not due to “to (sic) steap (sic) an angle.” Being lighter allows the aircraft to fly more slowly without exceeding the critical (stall) AOA. Several of the maneuvers that are flown are at high AOA. These pilots are familiar.
As the others have said, far too early to conclude pilot error. Even if Capt Kuss erred, so what? One of the things that make the Blues so enjoyable to watch is that the margins are razor thin. For whatever reason, Kuss was simply on the wrong side of a thin margin. The Navy and Marine Corps weep.
Agree 100 percent !
The heros of the USA are in the armed forces and not part of Obama’s Islamic attacks. May they prosper and grow as soon they will be up against hoards of camels and masked terrrorists. Vote Camels for the Democrats or Army personlee for the Republicans. You cannot defeat evil by surrendering to it.
Semper Fi Marine…Was there ever a doubt that this brave warriors final thoughts were for his fellow man. This is what makes our armed forces the best Ever. God Bless our beloved Corps.
SSgt BZ USMC Vietnam 66-67
MBecze 7185, first off I would just like to thank you and ALL of the other’s that happen to read this, “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.” I am 80 years old and served in both Korea and V N (58-72= totaling 5 tours ) and can relate to what military life is like. There is not any doubt where and what his final thoughts were for his fellow man. May he R.I.P. and may GOD bless both him and his family. IMHO, this was another one of those last minute and split second decision’s that ALL military servicemen and women have to make at some time during their career. Just like to wish everyone everywhere (especially all military families ) a very nice week end where ever you may be.
Man I feel bad about this.The Blue Angels were just here in Chesterfield Mo two weeks ago. What great people to die on the spot like that with no thought of there own life. I was in the Marine Corps Vietnam .God Bless them all.Semper FI
SEMPER FI
God Bless and Thanks for your service and thinking of others as you lost your life to protect those on the ground. May God give your family peace of mind.
So many plane crashes both public and military makes me wonder how many muslims are doing the repairs and checks because we know they are working at airports in several capacities. God Bless our military and remember the majority are VOLUNTEERS! That is true love for their jobs and America. Too bad we have so many who curse America but sure in hell don’t want to leave it because they know their lives would be poorer in every way.
Clinton’s exclusive order 1993, gun free bases. Fort Hood good example. CA terrors, gun free town and work place. Living close to borders i see the Blue Angels fly over my house for years. You just stop whatever you are doing and admire them. God Bless The Family at this very difficult time. Prayers with everyone.
Clinton’s exclusive order 1993, gun free bases. Fort Hood good example. CA terrors, gun free town and work place. Living close to borders i see the Blue Angels fly over my house for years. You just stop whatever you are doing and admire them. God Bless The Family at this very difficult time. Prayers with everyone.
It’s more than sad and beyond tragic that we would lose this fantastic warrior…this great Marine Aviator of the Blue Angels. As a volunteer (nearly 5 years) at the National Naval Aviation Museum, I last saw Capt. Jeff Kuss at the Wednesday autograph session in the Blue Angel Atrium. Over 3,000 fans were on hand to view their practice session. It just sickens us that this tragic event would occur. It brings to light/reality how challenging and professional their commitment is in being a Blue Angel.
God bless you Jeff and your family. We’re here for you ….now and for always!
I haven’t seen details about it yet, but from what it says here, it seems to be the sort of thing that could happen to any jet jockey on any take-off. Not to belittle his sacrifice, but we seem to be putting a spotlight on it only because the bird was blue and gold.
Curious to see if mr president will attend any of these funerals. Military lives do matter.
You are joking? It would interfere with his golf games!
He was NOT a “daredevil Blue Angel pilot”…he was a professional military aviator. By calling him a daredevil, you greatly dismiss his sacrifice, disrespect all aviators, and embarrass yourself.
Some people here have wondered if our o’criminal in charge will attend the funeral. I hope not! He has no honor. If this brave pilot were related to me and I had the backing of my family (which I definitely would), o’criminal would be refused to attend and rebuked publicly. Sad to say, our president is trash from the slums of kenya.
It may be painful to hear, but the death of a single individual in and of itself, probably doesn’t rank the presence of the POTUS–any POTUS–, unless he happens to already have an engagement nearby. Otherwise, the POTUS wouldn’t have time to be POTUS. More likely a condolence phone call to the family.
“Daredevil”? I wonder how many military aviators would like to have the label “daredevil” applied to them for doing what they’re trained to do? For all the flash of their demonstrations, they don’t perform outside loops or other aerobatics that don’t serve a combat purpose. I’m pretty sure their “hard deck” isn’t the ground, either. Not exactly a compliment to be calling them “daredevil.”
Stunning coincidence that the two aerobatic teams of the U.S., sustain accidents on the same day. Could it be because of all the cutbacks to our military made by the current administration. I think so.
Semper Fi brave Marine. Thank you for your service, now you will serve the Lord
A true Hero. May God take his soul, and his family rest in piece knowing that he was the MAN that he was to the very end.
Numerous lives were saved due to his selflessness.
TOO BAD IT IS NOT OBAMA’S ASS THAT WAS KILLED.. HE IS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. HE WOULD EXPECT THOUSANDS TO DIE TO SAVE HIM. IT IS HIS FAULT THAT THEY FLY JUNK. IT IS HIS FAULT THAT MILITARY ARE NOT TAKEN CARE OF. WHILE THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL ARE. PLEASE SOMEBODY INVEST, INVESTIGATE UNTIL THE FRAUD IS EXPOSED. HILLALRY PROMISES 4 MORE YEARS OF OBAMA. BUT I FEAR THAT IF TRUMP MIGHT WIN SOMEONE WILL KILL HIM. THIS COUNTRY IS HISTORY
Good post and I do agree with you that Obama is to blame. Being a scapegoat is about the only thing he’s good for. Believe me, I blame him for many things that go wrong. Also I agree with you that America is done. He accomplished the total destruction of our once-great nation.
When Mr. Trump, becomes Mr. President, this Earth will once again Tremble, when America walks!!!!!!
I am glad to see that the majority of the above comments are worm, respectful, and shows the sense of personal lost for a member of our military and great hero whom sacrificed his life to save many. I too am a retired Air Force Master Sergeant and at 66 I worked for the Military in Iraq and Kuwait for 5 years during the 2003 war. It made me feel at home to be amongst the military and witness their dedication and bravery. Thank you my military brothers and sisters and may God bless you and protect you.
Not discounting the fact that Obama is the biggest embarrassment to our military in history, to say that our pilots are flying junk is also not giving any credit to the men and women that maintain those aircraft. They are maintained very well by very diligent mechanics. In any aircraft, several mechanical or electrical failures can occur and those pilots may or may not be able to overcome them. Anytime a pilot or passenger straps on an aircraft they believe and have faith that all will be well but also knowing that shits happens. Let’s not turn this incident into a political issue, these men deserve more than the issue of being remembered in relation to the two greatest crooks and embarrassments in the history of our nation.
Obama and Clinton are a whole nother bag of worms.
God rest the SOUL of that Blue Angels Marine pilot who was merely doing his duty in protecting innocents. He and his family will meet in LOVE after death and Live together for eternity in Heaven. I am sure that The November Election will put The Donald in position on/after January 20,2017 when he will begin making everything Right/Correct with God’s Help. Vietnam-era (Regular USAF) veteran.
The two crashes of the Thunder Birds and the Blue Angels on the same day in different parts of the Nation are a mystery to me. There are the best pilots, flying the best planes, with the best ground crews should not have accidents. Is this a set up from ISIS or something else.