The Army pilots who hovered two helicopters near Kid Rock's Tennessee home during a training run while he clapped and saluted have had their suspension lifted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday. "No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots," Hegseth said in a social media post cited by the AP. Earlier, a US Army spokesperson said the crews of the two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell were suspended from flying, pending an investigation into their actions. The suspension was a discretionary—but not unusual—step when an investigation is underway, Maj. Montrell Russell said in statement.
The Army would review whether the flight complied with FAA regulations and aviation safety protocol, Russell said in the statement, which he emailed fewer than three hours before Hegseth's social media post. The Army takes "allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable," the statement said. Asked about Hegseth's announcement, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez said he had nothing to add to the secretary's social media post. An Army spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kid Rock, who is an outspoken supporter of President Trump, told WKRN-TV on Monday that it's not uncommon for helicopters from nearby Fort Campbell to fly near his home. He said he is a big supporter of the military and he's performed for troops overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. "I've talked to some of these pilots. I've told them, 'You guys see me waving when you come by the house?' I'm like, 'You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time,'" he said. Asked about possible repercussions for the crews, he said, "I think they're going to be all right. My buddy's the commander in chief."
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