Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has intervened directly in the case of four Army aircrew who were suspended from flight duties after they were filmed executing a close flyby, including a hover, of the estate of musician and major Trump fan, Kid Rock.
— KidRock (@KidRock) March 28, 2026
The two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (regimental motto "Out Front") of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, part of the Fort Campbell, Kentucky-based 101st Airborne Division. They were on a scheduled mission that happened to coincide with the ridiculous gathering of geriatrics for Nashville's "No Kings" event. According to The Washington Post, "Within about two hours on Saturday, one of the helicopters flew by demonstrators six times at McGregor Park in Clarksville, Tennessee, dipping as low as 625 feet, according to publicly available flight data. At one point, the aircraft briefly circled an area where protesters were gathered."
Allegedly, one of the pilots was the squadron commander.
When Kid Rock's tweet began trending on X, the Army announced that it had suspended the aircrew involved pending an investigation and that it was generally not amused.
Maj. Montrell Russell, a spokesperson for the Army, said Tuesday the aircrew involved in the incident had “been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission,” including whether any aviation safety protocols, approval requirements or airspace regulations were violated.
“The Army has confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that has attracted public and media attention,” Russell said. 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.”
President Trump was asked about the incident while he was signing an Executive Order on Tuesday, see Crackdown: Trump Signs New EO Targeting Mail-In Fraud Ahead of Midterms – RedState. He didn't seem anywhere near as upset as the left.
“I didn’t see it, no, but I’m sure they had a good time,” he said of the video when he was asked at an executive order signing ceremony.
“They probably shouldn’t have been doing it. You’re not supposed to be playing games, right?” Trump said. “I’d take a look at it. They like Kid Rock; I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know.”
This was followed by Secretary Hegseth getting directly involved.
Thank you @KidRock.@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 31, 2026
No punishment. No investigation.
Carry on, patriots. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Zqhv1Zx1iG
Thank you @KidRock.
@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED.
No punishment. No investigation.
Carry on, patriots
This was a tough call by Hegseth that will be debated. As a commander, particularly of combat soldiers, you are perpetually balancing good order and discipline against a command climate that is so overbearing and micromanaging that it crushes initiative. You can't have an "Animal House" environment, but neither can you appear to be the extras in "Night of the Living Dead." If forced to choose one or the other, though, I'd take the former over the latter any day of the week. I'd much rather serve in an outfit where the commander hovered outside the balcony of Kid Rock's "Southern White House" than for some pencil-necked, risk-averse placeholder.
I think the President and Secretary of War, acting immediately, did more to foster cohesion and combat readiness than any number of Karens investigating would. Frequently, all that is needed is an epic butt-chewing, and everyone can move on with their lives. Discipline has been upheld, the commander's authority enforced, and no permanent career damage done to the malefactors.
James Tolkan has died at 94.
— The Sting (@TheStingisBack) March 28, 2026
"Son, your ego's writing checks your body can't cash." - Top Gun (1986)
This scene is a masterclass in movie shorthand. In seconds you get Maverick’s attitude, his history, how he flies, and the entire setup. And Tolkan absolutely nails it. pic.twitter.com/9jZkJtdsNg
According to many reports, the Army and the military in general have reached a point where virtually any mishap is followed by an investigation. Investigations are rarely launched with the intent of finding the truth or exonerating individuals. They are launched to send messages and collect scalps. In my experience, the men most likely to demand investigations and a pound of flesh were some of the most unmanly men ever to wear a uniform. A decision had been made by Monday to toss the flight crews under the bus:
The crews were flying a training mission, and a flyby at Ritchie’s home was not part of that mission either or an Army-sanctioned outreach event, nor did he request it, the spokesman, Maj. Jonathon Bless, said Monday.
They nearly inevitably result in careers being burned to the ground and everyone within hearing distance reverting to a paralyzing caution to ensure that fate doesn't befall them. That hasn't always been the case. If we ever have a beer together, feel free to ask me about the three investigations I survived.
Naturally, because Hegseth is involved, some smear must be launched with any story (see Hegseth Hatred Leaves Democrat Politicians and Media With Egg on Their Faces As Well As Steak and Lobster – RedState.) The first is pretty obvious. Kid Rock is a Trump ally because the aviators involved were near his estate; they must be Trump supporters, too. Hegseth acted solely to defend Trump supporters. It is perfectly encapsulated in this tweet by Jake Tapper.
secretary @PeteHegseth - would you make the same decision had these pilots done the same thing to celebrate @springsteen? Or is this contingent upon folks sharing your political views? https://t.co/7xwjKS0QD4
— Jake Tapper 🦅 (@jaketapper) March 31, 2026
I don't know if they were Trump supporters, but Trump just won a ton of goodwill from military officers and noncommissioned officers.
The second smear is the typical "who's up, who's down" Washington melodrama. In this story, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Hegseth are bitter rivals with different power centers within the White House. Driscoll is framed as both smarter than Hegseth and out to take Hegseth's job. Hegseth is portrayed as using every opportunity to put Driscoll in his place.
Mr. Hegseth has also repeatedly clashed with the Army secretary, Daniel P. Driscoll, over personnel and administrative decisions, including by blocking the promotion of four Army officers to one-star generals. By reversing the suspension, he has waded into what had otherwise been a fairly routine disciplinary proceeding.
I have no way of evaluating any of these claims. I think Hegseth's announcement of the remission of all disciplinary action did several things. He became the institutional lightning rod rather than Driscoll. His announcement sent a message to the entire War Department rather than to the Army. Hegseth and the service secretaries, in my view, have staked out diametrically opposed emphasis areas. Hegseth is focusing on leadership and cultural issues, the service secretaries are focused on rebuilding a force that was wounded by 20 years of fighting two wars they were not allowed to win, and by the disdain Obama and Biden had for the military.
For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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