Army pilots, who recently made headlines for hovering two helicopters near Kid Rock’s lavish $3 million mansion in Tennessee, have had their suspensions revoked.
The pilots, whose identities remain undisclosed, flew close to the impressive White House-style property during a training exercise. The sight delighted Kid Rock, who was seen clapping and saluting the helicopters from below.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the suspension had been lifted.
“No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth shared in a social media update. The Pentagon has yet to issue a formal response.
Initially, a U.S. Army representative confirmed that the flight crews of the two AH-64 Apache helicopters were grounded while an investigation was conducted into their flyby.
Major Montrell Russell explained that grounding the pilots was a precautionary measure common during investigations, though not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing.
‘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,’ according to a statement from the Army on Tuesday.
The Army said it would review whether the flight complied with FAA regulations and aviation safety protocol.
The Army pilots who hovered two helicopters near Kid Rock’s Tennessee mansion have had their suspension lifted
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the suspension was no longer in effect Tuesday
Kid Rock, who is an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, 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, 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.
Kid Rock posted two short videos on social media Saturday. Each shows a helicopter hovering alongside his swimming pool while the entertainer claps, salutes and raises his fist in the air.
One post included a caption by Kid Rock disparaging Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic.
Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump suggested maybe the crews shouldn’t have done it before adding, ‘I like Kid Rock, maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know.’
In the videos, Kid Rock stands next to a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a sign by the pool that reads, ‘The Southern White House.’
Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump suggested maybe the crews shouldn’t have done it before adding, ‘I like Kid Rock, maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know’
His home on a hill overlooking Nashville was built to resemble the White House.
The helicopters were on a training mission when they stopped by Kid Rock’s house, said Maj. Jonathon Bless, public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division.
The helicopters also flew over a ‘No Kings’ protest against Trump in downtown Nashville, but Bless said their presence had nothing to do with the protest.
Kid Rock said he thought it was ‘really cool’ that they stopped to hover at his house.
‘If it makes their day a little brighter for their service to our country, protecting us, I think that’s a great thing,’ he said.
Asked about possible repercussions for the crews, he said, ‘I think they’re going to be all right. My buddy’s the commander in chief.’
