The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016 | Page 60
The RNLAF F-35 Lightning II escorted in
formation by (9) F-16AMs, top
The Red Arrows from the UK, middle
RNLAF AH-64D Apache deploying flares
during the outstanding display (too bad
that aircraft in the North American air show
circuit do not do the same!) bottom.
©2016 Norman A. Graf
Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, Blue Angels Opposing Solo pilot, was killed on June 2, during a practice in Smyrna,
Tennessee for the Great Tennessee Airshow that weekend. Capt. Kuss served as the “opposing solo pilot”
for the Blue Angels, flying in the number 6 position. Prior to being the opposing solo pilot he was the narra‐
tor of the team. Capt. Kuss was in the process of taking off to begin the show routine when his jet crashed
outside of the airport. It was a terrible moment for the air show community and all of the members of the
Navy and Marine Corps. Two memorial funds have since been created to support the family of the fallen
aviator:
GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/jeffkuss
ICAS http://www.icasfoundation.org/kuss‐fund
After a month of stand down, the team has now resumed their show season with five aircraft as they await
the return of a new solo pilot. This article is dedicated to Captain Jeff Kuss and his tenure with the United
States Navy Blue Angels.