Pentagon says suspension lifted for South Carolina helicopter pilots following July 4 beach event
Hegseth urged the South Carolina National Guard to restore eight Apache pilots as a safety review continued after low beach flyovers drew scrutiny.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth intervened late Thursday, urging the South Carolina National Guard to drop its investigation into eight AH-64 Apache pilots suspended for flying low over crowded July 4 beaches.
- After videos of the AH-64s buzzing crowded beaches during the Salute From The Shore aerial parade circulated on social media, the South Carolina National Guard suspended the eight pilots earlier this week.
- Hegseth previously absolved 101st Airborne Division pilots in March after they buzzed Kid Rock's Tennessee home, bypassing a formal safety investigation by tweeting, "Carry on, Patriots."
- South Carolina Representative Russell Fry publicly demanded the review end, stating on social media that the pilots "should be celebrated, not sanctioned" rather than face military discipline.
- Safety protocols mandate 1,000 feet over congested crowds, a standard reinforced by an April 2025 Kadena Air Force Base incident where insufficient clearance caused a fatality, highlighting operational risks.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Meddling Hegseth decides to 'fix' suspension for beach-buzzing Apache pilots
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth overrode a military safety review Friday, reinstating eight Apache helicopter pilots suspended for flying "very low" over packed South Carolina beaches on the Fourth of July."Effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell posted on X Friday morning.The pilots fly with the 1-151st Attack Battalion at McEntire Joint National Guard Base …
Hegseth steps in to ‘fix’ situation after Apache pilots suspended for ‘Salute from the Shores’ flyover
Pete Hegseth lifted the suspension of South Carolina National Guard Apache helicopter pilots after their low-altitude flyover at 'Salute from the Shore' sparked an investigation.
Hegseth cancels suspension of Apache pilots grounded after July 4 beach flyover
The Pentagon has lifted the suspension of eight South Carolina Army National Guard pilots who were grounded after flying Apache helicopters along state coastal beaches during a July 4 "Salute from the Shore" celebration.
Associated Press News
Pentagon says suspension lifted for South Carolina helicopter pilots following July 4 beach event
Eight South Carolina National Guard helicopter pilots have returned to flying duties after a suspension that followed a low flight over the state's beaches during a July 4 event.
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