Hegseth says suspension lifted for Army crew seen in video flying Apache helicopters at Kid Rock’s home

Hegseth Confirms Suspension Lifted for Army Pilots Involved in Apache Helicopter Flyby

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday that the Army pilots who conducted a flyby of Kid Rock’s Nashville-area home using Apache helicopters are no longer under suspension. Hegseth shared a video from Kid Rock, who has been a steadfast supporter of President Donald Trump, and remarked that the pilots’ suspensions had been rescinded. “No punishment. No investigation, Carry on, patriots,” he stated in a post on X.

The Army initially suspended the crews following the incident, which occurred on Saturday. A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division informed CNN on Monday that a review was in progress, with potential action pending if any rule violations were confirmed. “Army aviators must follow strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations,” said Maj. Jonathon Bless.

Kid Rock’s video captures the event, showcasing two Apache helicopters hovering near his home, referred to as “The Southern White House.” In the footage, he salutes a helicopter that briefly passes by his swimming pool and later pumps his fist as two others fly overhead. “This is a level of respect that sh*t for brains Governor of California will never know,” Kid Rock wrote, directing the comment at Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he has frequently clashed with online.

“No punishment. No investigation, Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth posted on X.

When questioned about the suspensions, Trump responded with a casual tone, asserting he hadn’t viewed the video but added, “I’m sure they had a good time.” He later conceded, “Well, they probably shouldn’t have been doing it, yes, you’re not supposed to be playing games, right? But I’d take a look at it. They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know.”

Maj. Montrell Russell explained that the personnel involved in the Saturday incident “have been suspended from flight duties while the Army evaluates the mission’s context, including adherence to FAA rules, aviation safety protocols, and approval processes.” The Army emphasized its commitment to enforcing standards and ensuring accountability for any unauthorized flight operations.

The crews operating the AH-64 Apache helicopters are members of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. CNN has sought additional comments from the Creative Artists Agency, which represents Kid Rock, to clarify the situation further.

Earlier this year, Newsom humorously “banned” Kid Rock from California in an X post, escalating their rivalry on social media. The story was updated with new developments as of Tuesday.

CNN’s Kit Maher contributed to this report.