Suspension lifted for Ft. Campbell helicopter pilots who hovered near Kid Rock's swimming pool

UPDATE:
The Army pilots who hovered two helicopters near Kid Rock’s Nashville area home during a training run while he clapped and saluted have had their suspension lifted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday.

“No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth said in a social media post.

Earlier, a U.S. Army spokesperson said the crews of the two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell were suspended from flying, pending an investigation into their actions. The suspension was a discretionary — but not unusual — step when an investigation is underway, Maj. Montrell Russell said in statement.

The Army would review whether the flight complied with FAA regulations and aviation safety protocol, Russell said in the statement, which he emailed fewer than three hours before Hegseth’s social media post. 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.

Asked about Hegseth’s announcement, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez said he had nothing to add to the secretary’s social media post. An Army spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kid Rock told WKRN-TV on Monday that it’s not uncommon for helicopters from nearby Fort Campbell to fly near his home. He said he is a big supporter of the military and he’s performed for troops overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.

“I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot,” he said. He noted that last Thanksgiving he was at Fort Campbell with Vice President JD Vance. “I’ve talked to some of these pilots. I’ve told them, ‘You guys see me waving when you come by the house?’ I’m like, ‘You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time,’” he said.


ORIGINAL STORY:
The U.S. Army has launched an administrative review after two AH-64 Apache helicopters on a training run from Fort Campbell hovered near the Nashville home of Kid Rock.

The singer posted two videos on social media on Saturday. Each shows a helicopter hovering alongside his swimming pool while the entertainer claps, salutes and raises his fist in the air. The Nashville skyline can be seen in the background.

Helicopters and other aircraft from Fort Campbell, on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, often make training runs over the Nashville area.

“This is a level of respect," Kid Rock posted, that the "Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”

The public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division said on Monday that there was no official request to the Army from Kid Rock for the helicopters to come to his house.

The helicopters also overflew a Nashville “No Kings” protest on Saturday, but Fort Campbell said the training run had nothing to do with the protest.

A written statement from the Army said:

“Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations. An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements. Appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found.”