Two jets from the U.S. military’s premier flight demonstration squadrons, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, crashed in a single day. One pilot survived but the other died, reportedly after maneuvering his aircraft away from an apartment building before it crashed. Now some are asking if elite fighter jets a threat to safety and if they should be allowed to fly over civilian areas at all.
Military pilots crash hours apart
Following a flyover at the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement ceremony in Colorado attended by President Barack Obama, a Thunderbird F-16 flown by pilot Maj. Alex Turner of Chelmsford, Mass. crashed. Thankfully, Turner managed to eject himself safely into a field. Turner has more than 270 combat hours over Libya and Iraq, according to The Air Force Combat Command.
Sadly, only a few hours later, a Blue Angels F/A-18 fighter jet crashed near near Smyrna Airport in Tennessee, killing pilot Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, shortly after he chose not to eject. According to reports, Kuss didn’t eject so that he could maneuver his plane away from an apartment complex. Kuss was practicing for the upcoming Great Tennessee Air Show, according to The Associated Press. He joined the elite aerobatics team in 2014 and has more than 1,400 flight hours. Before joining the Blue Angels, Kuss had served in Afghanistan.
Five other F/A-18 jets landed safely moments after the crash.
“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 the pilot’s grandfather, Dolph Kuss, reached at his home in Durango, Colo. “This was his dream since he was a child, to be an aviator, a flier.”
San Francisco bans the Blue Angels
Both squadrons, celebrated for their aerial acrobatics and skilled pilots, have been performing at air shows across North America for decades. But the double air disaster raises some questions regarding their future. Since the launch of The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds in 1946 and 1953, respectively, both squadrons have been in a number of accidents.
Following the mid-May crash, San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos revived a proposal to ban the renowned Navy squadron from flying over his city. Avalos told the San Francisco Chronicle that the jets are a threat to safety and should not be allowed to fly over inhabited areas. Instead, he suggested, they should fly over San Francisco Bay, where boaters typically gather to watch the Blue Angels perform.
“It’s about them crashing and hitting a building, a place where people live,” Avalos told the Chronicle.
He sacrificed his life
The crash was the Blue Angels’ first since a South Carolina accident in 2007 in which Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis was killed attempting a sharp turn too close to the ground. The team stopped flying after that incident but resumed a regular schedule shortly thereafter.
San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar said that although many people enjoy the Blue Angels’ shows, the potential dangers outweigh the benefits. He went on to say that the show “goes against the values of peace that San Francisco stands for. They promote militarism, and I don’t think a city like ours should be promoting that.”
Perhaps the military needs to reconsider the future of their elite demonstration squadrons, but for the moment let’s not forget that Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, father of two, sacrificed his life so that others would live. That’s the military at its finest and the bravest thing anyone could do. In my eyes, Kuss is a hero.
What do you think? Should the military ban these prestigious flight shows?
—Katherine Marko
No. But we should consider banning stupid reporters with no aviation experience from reporting on aviation.
No. We should not consider banning the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. This mayor is an idiot. Another left wing nut job. Our military is out there defending us and we should never forget it. [The mayor said that the Blue Angels promote militarism]. Unbelieveable! The mayor and his kind want to eliminate Americanism.
John Avalos, obviously a leftist peacenik, maybe not even a citizen…has NO pride in this country!
My answer to the writer…YES they should continue with their air shows.
San Francisco …militaristic???? Really? Who do you think KEEPS the PEACE? Certainly not you! It is our men, and women, in uniform, who keep the PEACE..idiot!
I know what is wrong with you…but do I dare say it here?
What peace is that. 1000 air bases around the world is peace? We have been in a constant war since 1941 and we only won one of them. You’re an idiot.
Because of strength we have had peace here. But since the zerobuma has weakened our military, that peace will end.
Keep them flying. Agree that the weird ideas always pop up in SF whenever there is mention of the Blue Angels. The Shows are thrilling to see. Aviation at its best. Beautiful Planes and skilled Pilots. I go every year and look forward to Fleet Week because of them. John Avalos needs to get a grip and, maybe, a better life.
Still in a coma? Good luck.
Take a breath and as an American let others express their opinion. Why bash?
If these flights are coreographed obviously, then the flight should be kept safe by not going to such lengths to make dangerous manuvers. The public does not really understand how hard they really are. I would be happy to see them fly over once. To die for a show is ridiculous. Save the maneuvers for the battle fields
Americanism is synonymous with war? You really need to inform yourself about why our military is overseas
Yea, a great way to go through thousands of dollars in fuel alone. Money that could be spent to help the poor bastards you guys love to send to fight wars. The same wars that make corporate America wealthy. You people are braindead.
I wonder how much defunding of the military under Obama has to do with this? Also, the reports that inferior & used plane parts are being distributed to the various services that is being reported now.
Why bash? I suspect you are one of the dreamers who supports the leftist/ liberal agenda. You can’t see the forest for the trees insofar as what’s going on in the country right now. Inform yourself before commenting!
You’re the idiot! The ONLY way to have peace AND PRESERVE IT is to have a strong military. If you can’t see that, then God help us all!
Look who’s talking about “braindead!” Susan, here is your fine example.
We have the strongest military ever known to mankind. Where is the peace? We are spread out all over the globe making people hate us. Enough nuclear weapons to destroy the species many times over. Unless you idiots make it happen with climate change first. Either way it is over. Enjoy your little flying show while you still can. The biggest threat to mankind is the US. If you paid any attention you would know that. Fact.
Half of you are forgetting one simple fact, the military does not act autonomously. The military is subordinate to the civilian oficials elected or appointed over them, this simple truth makes this “militarism” comment ludicrous and uninformed at best and dangerous at worse. You don’t want the military around the world, then elect a president who supports that view and doesn’t set strategic goals that require the military to support. The military does not dictate the National Security Strategy, they are tasked to support the President’s and plan how they will implement their branch of national power. They also do not determine their budget. They request the funds required to pay for the implementation of the National Security Strategy, but as we have seen for almost the last decade, they do not get it. These are simple truths and making this tragic accident a political commentary on militerism is baseless and without class.
I’m very informed; more than you’ll ever know. When I said “Americanism” I mean’t patriotism and that is supporting our military who defend our freedom every day; however, you don’t agree with that I’m sure. I think you forgot the lessons of Pearl Harbor and 9/11. You’re the one that needs to study history.
No but you obviously have your head up a dark cavern!
You can always leave the USA if you do not like it! Let me help you!
Thank you Barbara..you said it all!
You use the words peace, name calling in the same sentence. Please get ahold of yourself.
No problem. Left a long time ago and didn’t need any help. Just paid attention. Many of you will need to see a mushroom cloud to wakeup. Patriots right to the end. Love for a piece of ground more than life itself. Different strokes I guess.
I have a good view of idiotville. Go back to sleep.
Evidently, you are not paying attention to the news. Several congressmen have commented that our military is the WEAKEST it has ever been under BHO. As far as our “flying show” is concerned, the men who fly those planes are to be considered heroes and I am grateful that we have such courageous men to protect the likes of you and me in this dangerous world in which we now live.
Explains everything I need to know about you. You believe what congressmen say? LOL. The weakest and most expensive MIC to ever exist, but they want more money. Are you serious? Nevermind, I know you are. Sad.
Glad you can see up there!
Sorry you are so ignorant, that you cannot comprehend, what I said.
read the article again idiot
no barbara you are wrong
better then you do
you’re the IDIOT and there is NO god
that’s the line of a nazi fascist party of NO (repugs) line of defense
no not ignorant just know people
not banning them just not having shows over population
How can you know someone, from what they write on a comment board? Are you clairvoyant?
Why don’t you get your fascist, progressive, Marxist self off this comment board? Hmmm?
Much better than me.because I don’t have my nose up someone’s *ss!
I went back there, and read it again..just for you. I stand where I am..The mayor is a leftist, who says negative things about the military…but you can bet he hugs all the illegals that are murdering, raping, and sexually enslaving little children. The law is the law..it has not been changed..and as soon as we get that dictator out of office..things are going to change, for those crooks..especially the 10s of thousands that Obama released into the public! Felons..released into the public in the USA..not their home countries.
Obama HATES this country!
Kidding ME. HECK NO!!! San Francisco you can suck it. Saying your for peace. If not for the military and what soldiers have died to get that peace. Wow
You’re a jerk, and quite ignorant yourself. Why don’t you go pick a fight where you can’t hide behind a computer screen?
I happen to be a woman. I am also a former police officer. I doubt I am a coward, as you so kindly pointed out. I have worked very hard to save this country since 2007. What have YOU done?