DURANGO, Colo. (WKRG) – The remains of fallen Blue Angels pilot Jeff Kuss landed in his hometown ahead of the his funeral Saturday.
The Blue Angels’ C-130, known as “Fat Albert,” carried Captain Kuss’ body from NAS Pensacola to Durango-La Plata County Airport in Colorado Friday afternoon. The utility plane landed in front of saluting Marines on the runway.
Kuss grew up in Durango, where he attended college and learned to fly. He is set to be buried Saturday morning with full military honors, a 21-gun salute, and the Blue Angels are expected to be in attendance.
Last Thursday, Kuss’ F-A 18 Hornet fell out of the sky and crashed in Smyrna during a practice run for the Great Tennessee Airshow. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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A candlelight vigil was held in Pensacola for Kuss a week later. He was remembered in an emotional speech by Lt. Matt Suyderhoud, who pilots the no. 2 jet.
“The time to mourn is now, but when that time is over, when that time is right, we will be back in the skies of this great nation. We will fly like warriors. We will not be scared, because we’ll have Jeff on one wing, and the [city of Pensacola] on the other. But before we do that, before we get in the skies again, we will be in the skies of Pensacola because this is our home {applause} and we are your team. God Bless Jeff. God Bless Pensacola. God Bless America,” stated Lt. Suyderhoud.
The Blue Angels have suspended their 2016 schedule; however, they could be in the air again in time for the Pensacola Beach Air Show on July 16.
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