Hegseth ends suspension of US Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock's home

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. "I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot," he said. "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, said in a joking manner: "Maybe they were trying to defend him." Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday evening, the president said the crews "probably shouldn't have been doing it. You're not supposed to be playing games". "They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock," he added. The Army has confirmed that two of its Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight on 28 March in the Nashville area in the state of Tennessee, 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," spokesman Maj Montrell Russell told the BBC in the earlier statement. In the caption of the video he posted online, Kid Rock, who also performed at the Republican convention in 2024, insulted California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has feuded with him and Trump. One clip shows Kid Rock standing poolside next to a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty, clapping and saluting as the aircraft hovers before flying away. "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her," the caption reads. Another video shows the Born Free singer pumping his fist before a second gunship appears to fly by his mansion, which he has dubbed the Southern White House.