Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that he lifted the suspension for Army pilots who flew two AH‑64 Apache helicopters near singer Kid Rock's Nashville, Tenn., house over the weekend.
The crew was suspended earlier on Tuesday and the Army opened an investigation into the service members after they flew the two helicopters near the home of Robert James Ritchie, known as Kid Rock.
But later on Tuesday, Hegseth announced that the military personnel will not face any punishment, overruling Army officials.
"Thank you @KidRock. @USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots," Hegseth said in a post Tuesday on the social platform X.
The fly-by by the crew, which is from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell, Ky., was welcomed by Kid Rock, an ally of President Trump, but the Army said on Monday that it launched a formal review into the incident.
"The personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol and approval requirements," Maj. Montrell Russell, an Army spokesperson, said in a statement to The Hill, hours before Hegseth's announcement on X.
Russell said due to it being an active investigation, which has since been ended by the Pentagon chief, it would have been "inappropriate to discuss specific findings at this time." He added that the Army "takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable."
Rock posted the fly-by on social media, the video of which went viral, with the caption "This is a level of respect that s‑‑‑ for brains Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."
Read the full report at thehill.com.
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