Gregory T. Kuhse

Master Sergeant, United States Air Force

February 12, 1977 – October 11, 2015
Age – 38
Galesburg, MI

Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
3^rd Manpower Requirements Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, IL

Killed when a British Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed while landing at the headquarters of the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan

Master Sergeant Gregory Kuhse, 38, who was in Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, was among five people killed when a British Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed while landing at the headquarters of the NATO Resolute Support Mission, which is training Afghan security forces. The helicopter reportedly struck a monitoring balloon as it landed, but the cause of the crash is under investigation.

All who knew him would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was a fun-loving, vivacious, and kindhearted person with a zest for life that was truly contagious. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Master Sergeant Kuhse was a humble and generous man whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in his wife and children. Outgoing, genuine, and approachable, he was a stranger to none and a friend to all who drew others near with ease. Greg treated everyone with dignity, compassion, and unconditional respect, and his laugh was larger than life. Although it will never be the same without him here, he leaves behind a timeless legacy that will remain alive though the hearts, spirits, and lives of all who were blessed to be within his reach.

Greg attended local schools including Comstock High School where he ran track. In fact, he still holds the Comstock NE Middle School 800 meter record of 2:13:07 to this day. He went on to graduate from high school in 1995.

Master Sergeant Kuhse was an Information Resources Manager and Manpower Analyst with over 19 years of service in the United States Air Force. He graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with an associate degree in both Information Resources Management and Human Resources Management in Management Engineering Technology. Master Sergeant Kuhse was deeply devoted to his fellow Airmen and demonstrated the importance of bonding with one another as a team. Over the years, he was an amazing mentor to numerous Airmen.

New and exciting changes were in store for Greg when he met the woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Torri, and they soon fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married. Together they deeply treasured their four children, Madeline, Eliana, Tristan, and Caleb. Greg treasured his role as a husband and treated his wife as though she was his entire world. He also exemplified what it means to love your children and to hold them tight. Greg was forever telling his loved ones how much he cared, even if that meant that he did so over the phone.

There were so many lessons that Master Sergeant Kuhse taught others through the way he lived his life. Among the many lessons were to think before speaking to avoid saying an unkind word, to work hard in everything whether in work or in play, and to celebrate life in both the peaks and the valleys. Greg could always find the unique good in everyone, and he always wore a smile that could brighten up even the darkest of days. It has been said that he was a world champion smack talker who talked smack completely in the name of fun. Even when talking about a ridiculously small “designer dog,” he was just carrying on as he brought one home for his family since he knew that his wife and kids would love it. Greg never hesitated to speak his mind when it came to “the team down South,” otherwise known as THE Ohio State Football, and his pride in “the team up North,” which was the way he spoke of his beloved University of Michigan was well known. In fact, he lived and breathed BIG BLUE.

In everything he did, Greg gave it his all. He enjoyed bowling, basketball, softball, running, and golfing, and he also expertly ran a golf tournament. Greg was a perpetual cornhole champion, and he was also known for his mad card playing skills as he played euchre and could come back from a 9-1 deficit to win the game!

Passionate in everything he did, Master Sergeant Gregory Kuhse lived life to the fullest every day. He was one of the most personable and friendliest people around, and he had the most joyous and infectious laugh. Greg was never one to worry about the things of this world, rather, his focus was on how he could bless others first and foremost. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.