Team On Stand-Down Following Accident In Tennessee

It's just one of those gut-wrenching situations where we want to do what we can. And sometimes all we can do is offer support, emotionally and financially.

To that end, we have learned of at least two funds that have been established to support the family of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, the Blue Angels pilot who was fatally injured in an accident last Thursday during a practice session prior to the Smyrna, TN Air Show.

Kuss by several accounts stayed with the stricken F/A-18 and steered the plane away from a residential area to avoid what could have been a tremendous tragedy and loss of civilian life. To do that, he had to ride the airplane down, and gave his life in the process. He left behind his wife Christina and two children, Calvin 4 and Sloane 1.

The ICAS Foundation has established a fund to support Capt. Kuss' family. The foundation provides financial assistance to members of the air show community facing a death, debilitating accident, or other catastrophic event. Contributions to the fund for Capt. Kuss' family may be made online to the ICAS Foundation.

At the same time, a GoFundMe presence has been established by Necole Ferrarese Perino, a relative of Capt. Kuss. The fund was established Sunday and has already raised over $226,000 towards its $500,000 goal. Many of the donors are from Tennessee where the accident occurred.

In a related development, the Blue Angels are on a temporary stand-down following the accident, and they have cancelled their appearance at the Syracuse, NY Air Show this coming weekend. Art Nalls posted on his Facebook page that the show will go on, and all profits are going to support Kuss' family. Nalls said he and his team plan to make the trip to Syracuse to participate in the show to assist Kuss' family.

FMI: ICAS Fund, GoFundMe