Hegseth says suspensions lifted for helicopter crews who hovered over Kid Rock home [View all]

Source: The Guardian

Tue 31 Mar 2026 19.30 EDT


Defense secretary Pete Hegseth said the crews of two US army AH-64 Apache helicopters that hovered next to the singer Kid Rock’s swimming pool while he clapped and saluted on Saturday are no longer suspended. “No punishment. No investigation,” Hegseth wrote on social media. “Carry on, patriots.” Hegseth’s announcement came just hours after a US army spokesperson said the crews had been suspended from flying pending a investigation.

“The army has confirmed that on 28 March, 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,” according to a statement from the army on Tuesday. The army said it was reviewing “the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements”.

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

“I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot,” he said. He said that last Thanksgiving he was at Fort Campbell, a sprawling army base on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, 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.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/hegseth-kid-rock-army-helicopter-video