The crews of two military helicopters seen hovering outside musician Kid Rock's Tennessee home were briefly suspended on Tuesday, before being told they could go back to work by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots, Hegseth wrote on social media.
Kid Rock, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, posted a video of himself saluting to the AH-64 Apaches as they hovered above his pool at his home on Saturday, prompting many to question why they were there.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Army had said that the crews would be taken off work while the military looked into whether they had followed federal flying regulations. Hegseth stepped in a short while later.
The BBC has contacted the US Army for comment. Kid Rock - whose real name is Robert Ritchie - told local news outlet WKRN-TV on Monday that it is not uncommon for helicopters from the nearby Fort Campbell Army base to fly near his home. He noted that he has performed for troops at Fort Campbell and overseas.
He stated, I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot. 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.'
Trump, when asked about it, joked: Maybe they were trying to defend him. He added that the crews probably shouldn't have been doing it. You're not supposed to be playing games but noted, They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock.
The Army confirmed that two of its Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight on March 28 in the Nashville area where Kid Rock lives and owns two restaurants.
The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable, according to spokesman Maj Montrell Russell. In the caption of the video he posted online, Kid Rock insulted California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has feuded with him and Trump, while showing clips of himself saluting the helicopters.
Kid Rock, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, posted a video of himself saluting to the AH-64 Apaches as they hovered above his pool at his home on Saturday, prompting many to question why they were there.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Army had said that the crews would be taken off work while the military looked into whether they had followed federal flying regulations. Hegseth stepped in a short while later.
The BBC has contacted the US Army for comment. Kid Rock - whose real name is Robert Ritchie - told local news outlet WKRN-TV on Monday that it is not uncommon for helicopters from the nearby Fort Campbell Army base to fly near his home. He noted that he has performed for troops at Fort Campbell and overseas.
He stated, I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot. 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.'
Trump, when asked about it, joked: Maybe they were trying to defend him. He added that the crews probably shouldn't have been doing it. You're not supposed to be playing games but noted, They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock.
The Army confirmed that two of its Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight on March 28 in the Nashville area where Kid Rock lives and owns two restaurants.
The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable, according to spokesman Maj Montrell Russell. In the caption of the video he posted online, Kid Rock insulted California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has feuded with him and Trump, while showing clips of himself saluting the helicopters.
