Suspension lifted for helicopter pilots who hovered near Kid Rock's home

April 1, 2026 1:32 AM ET
By The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The suspension of Army pilots who operated two helicopters near Kid Rock's home in Tennessee during a training exercise has been lifted, announced Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

"We won’t be imposing any punishment or conducting an investigation. Carry on, patriots," Hegseth expressed in a social media post.

Previously, a U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed that the crews of the AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell were suspended from flight operations while their actions were under review. This suspension is a standard precautionary measure taken during investigations, according to Maj. Montrell Russell.

The Army planned to assess whether the flight adhered to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and safety protocols. Russell emphasized in his statement, delivered just hours before Hegseth's announcement, that the Army takes "allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to upholding standards and holding personnel accountable."

In response to inquiries regarding Hegseth's announcement, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez stated that he had no further comments beyond the secretary's social media update. An Army spokesperson did not immediately provide further commentary on the matter.

Kid Rock, known for his vocal support of President Donald Trump, remarked on WKRN-TV that it is typical for helicopters from the nearby Fort Campbell to fly over his residence. He expressed his support for the military, citing past performances for troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and various other locations.

"I think they understand this is a friendly area," Kid Rock stated. He recalled spending last Thanksgiving at Fort Campbell alongside Vice President JD Vance, saying, "I've spoken to some of these pilots. I've told them, 'You guys see me waving when you come by the house?' I welcome them to stop by anytime."

On Saturday, Kid Rock shared two brief videos on social media depicting a helicopter hovering next to his swimming pool while he applauded, saluted, and raised his fist in the air. One of the posts included a comment directed at Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump.

During remarks at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump hinted that perhaps the crews should have refrained from such actions, adding, "I like Kid Rock; maybe they were trying to defend him, I don't know."

In the videos, Kid Rock is seen next to a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a sign stating "The Southern White House," a reference to his home which is designed to resemble the White House, situated on a hill with views overlooking Nashville.

According to Maj. Jonathon Bless, public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division, the helicopters were conducting a training mission at the time of their visit to Kid Rock's home. The helicopters also briefly flew over a "No Kings" protest against Trump in downtown Nashville, but Bless clarified that their presence was unrelated to the demonstration.

Kid Rock expressed appreciation for the helicopters' visit, noting, "I thought it was really cool that they stopped to hover at my house. If it brightens their day while they serve our country, I think that’s fantastic."

When asked about potential consequences for the pilots, he optimistically stated, "I believe they'll be fine. After all, my friend is the commander in chief."