Talk about failing to read the room.
The South Carolina Army National Guard temporarily suspended eight Apache helicopter pilots from flight duties for a July 4 Salute from the Shore flyover.
The action was taken pending a review of their “flight profile,” even though a similar incident involving Kid Rock not only drew the attention of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, but compelled him to intervene.
WHAT ON EARTH??!!!!
The National Guard has just SUSPENDED all 8 pilots of the Apache helicopters that flew on the “Salute to the Shore” flyover across the South Carolina coast.
No reason has been given for their suspension.
A source says as soon as the pilots landed, they… pic.twitter.com/rNaigiVQol
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) July 9, 2026
“I can confirm that the SCARNG is currently reviewing the flight profile of the Apache helicopters that participated in the event,” National Guard Maj. Lisa Allen said in a statement. “As is routine, the pilots involved in the flight have been temporarily suspended from flight duties pending the outcome of this review. Please note that this suspension applies only to flight operations; the pilots continue to report for their regular daily duties in a non-flying capacity.”
Again, Hegseth wasted little time weighing in, posting on X, “We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots.” Hegseth posted.
Back in late March, U.S. Army Apache helicopters performed low-altitude maneuvers and hovered near Kid Rock’s Nashville-area estate, which he calls the “Southern White House,” while he saluted them.
The pilots were temporarily suspended for the unauthorized flyover, prompting Hegseth to intervene.
“Thank you Kid Rock. US Army pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots,” the Trump official said on X.
JUST IN: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the suspension of the US Army pilots who flew by Kid Rock’s house has been lifted.
“Thank you Kid Rock. US Army pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
The announcement comes after the Army… pic.twitter.com/Fcf2o0bJns
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 31, 2026
And to drive home the point, the SecWar invited the rock star icon to participate with him in separate Army Apache helicopter flights at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which the Pentagon said was part of a “Freedom 250” community relations event.
Social media users were pumped over Hegseth getting involved once again — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
Best SECWAR we’ve ever had, easily .
— â„™’ (@OfAthenry) July 10, 2026
As I would’ve done. Pete’s on it.
Carry on, boys. Kick ass.
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) July 10, 2026
I was a medic in an Apache squadron in Germany in the early 90’s. Those pilots are a different breed. Buy them a beer, Mr. Secretary. You want warfighters, you got warfighters.
— Tim6179 (@TimCavanag86435) July 10, 2026
Sir,
Just like the Kid Rock salute…
These loser commanders still haven’t got the message…Lethality and Patriotism is back.
— Mark Naughton (@MarkNaughton9) July 10, 2026
I fail to see the problem here pic.twitter.com/aGYwkJoK1a
— AJ Nienhusser (@AJButtofucco) July 10, 2026
How it feels to carry on as a patriot pic.twitter.com/JAg9w4p3ZM
— The Conservative Alternative (@OldeWorldOrder) July 10, 2026
Forward fellow Patriots! pic.twitter.com/ATQaV284O9
— Robert B Gibson (@robbg80) July 10, 2026
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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