Defense Secretary reverses brief suspension
The crews of two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters spotted hovering near musician Kid Rock’s Tennessee home were briefly suspended Tuesday before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered their reinstatement.
“No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth wrote on social media, effectively halting an internal review that had been announced earlier in the day.
The Army had initially said the pilots would be taken off flight duty while officials examined whether federal aviation and military flight regulations had been followed during the March 28 operation near Nashville.
Videos spark questions
Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Ritchie, posted footage online showing himself poolside, saluting and clapping as the helicopters hovered overhead. In one clip, he stands beside a small replica of the Statue of Liberty as the aircraft circle above his property.
The musician, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, captioned the video with a patriotic message and included criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The flyby prompted online speculation about why military aircraft were operating so close to a private residence.
The U.S. Army confirmed that helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that day. “The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable,” spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell said in an earlier statement.
Kid Rock calls it routine
Ritchie told local outlet WKRN-TV that helicopter traffic from nearby Fort Campbell is not unusual in the area. He noted that he has performed for troops both domestically and overseas and described his home as a welcoming location for service members.
“I’ve talked to some of these pilots,” he said. “You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time.”
White House reaction
Asked about the incident, President Trump joked that the helicopters might have been protecting the musician. Later, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said the crews “probably shouldn’t have been doing it” and added, “You’re not supposed to be playing games.”
Still, Trump expressed personal support for the singer, saying, “They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock.”
No further action expected
With Hegseth’s directive ending the review, the helicopter crews have been cleared to resume their duties. The Army has not indicated whether any additional guidance or clarification on flight protocols will follow.