Just hours after the U.S. Army suspended the crews involved in a helicopter fly-by near Kid Rock’s home, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stepped in and reversed the decision.
On Tuesday, an Army spokesperson said the crews were suspended from flight duties while officials reviewed what happened. They said two Apache helicopters from Fort Campbell were seen hovering outside Kid Rock’s Nashville home on Saturday as the singer waved, saluted and pumped his fist.
Officials previously said Kid Rock did not request the fly over, so the Army was looking into two things: why they were near the property and why they were also flying close to a “No Kings” rally while on a training mission.
In a statement, Army Maj. Montrell Russell said they were investigating whether the flight complied with FAA regulations and aviation safety protocol.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
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.
Kid Rock told a Nashville TV station he didn’t expect the fly-by but said he’s had interactions with military pilots before and called it “pretty cool.” He also referred to Trump as “my buddy … the commander-in-chief.”
Each helicopter carries a two-person crew: a pilot and a co-pilot, known as a gunner.
Hegseth steps in
Hours after the Army suspended the crews, Hegseth stepped in.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Thank you, Kid Rock. U.S. Army pilots’ suspension lifted. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
The Army has not issued a statement since Hegseth’s post.
