Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed the U.S. Army's suspension of helicopter pilots who flew near musician Kid Rock's Tennessee home, overturning the disciplinary action within hours of its announcement on Tuesday.
No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots
Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary — Social Media
The Army had earlier suspended the crews of two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell pending an investigation into their March 28 flight over the Nashville area. The suspension followed public attention generated by Kid Rock's social media posts showing him saluting the aircraft as they hovered above his property.
Major Montrell Russell, an Army spokesperson, had described the suspension as a discretionary but standard step during investigations. The Army stated it would review whether the flight complied with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and aviation safety protocols.
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, posted video footage Saturday showing himself standing poolside next to a replica Statue of Liberty, clapping and saluting as the military aircraft flew overhead. His property features a column labeled 'The Southern White House,' reflecting his prominent support for President Donald Trump.
BBC frames the story as a straightforward reversal of military discipline, emphasizing the timeline and official statements. The outlet provides context about Kid Rock's Trump support and the unusual nature of the defense secretary's intervention.