{"id":5622,"date":"2026-07-11T09:04:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T09:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=5622"},"modified":"2026-07-11T09:04:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T09:04:07","slug":"pentagon-says-suspension-lifted-for-south-carolina-helicopter-pilots-following-july-4-beach-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=5622","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon says suspension lifted for South Carolina helicopter pilots following July 4 beach event"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) \u2014 Eight South Carolina National Guard helicopter pilots have been returned to flying duties following a suspension over a low-flying sweep over beachgoers as part of a July 4 event honoring servicemembers.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEffective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted,\u201d Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote Friday morning on social media. \u201cCarry on Patriots.\u201d<\/p>\n

The suspension followed \u201cSalute from the Shore,\u201d a July 4 tradition honoring servicemembers in South Carolina since 2010 that features vintage and modern military aircraft flying along the 187-mile length of the state\u2019s shoreline, with the intent of sparking patriotism among thousands of beachgoers gathered for the holiday. <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s salute included F-16s with the South Carolina Air National Guard\u2019s 169th Fighter Wing out of McEntire Joint Base, as well as a C-17 from the 437th Airlift Wing based at Joint Base Charleston. For the first time, Apache helicopters joined the air parade, which also featured civilian-owned vintage planes like T-34s and T-6s.<\/p>\n

Numerous attendees often post video on social media of the display, but this year, online images of the Apaches flying at what appeared to be a low height over crowded beaches sparked concern with the South Carolina National Guard, which launched a review of the event and temporarily suspended the eight pilots from flying duties while that was ongoing, later clarifying the suspension was \u201ca routine, non-punitive safety measure, not a disciplinary action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Late Thursday night, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted on social media that the Pentagon was getting involved, writing, \u201cWe\u2019ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots.\u201d<\/p>\n

The message was similar to one issued by Hegseth in March, after the lifting of a suspension for a pair of Army pilots who hovered two AH-64 Apache helicopters near Kid Rock\u2019s Tennessee home during a training run while he clapped and saluted.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNo punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots,\u201d Hegseth said then in a social media post, less than three hours after the Army announced its review. Kid Rock, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, said he thought it was \u201creally cool\u201d that the pilots stopped to hover at his house.<\/p>\n

South Carolina Republicans rebuked the suspension of its Guard pilots. Rep. Russell Fry, who represents the Myrtle Beach area, said Thursday that the pilots \u201cshould be celebrated, not sanctioned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead of Parnell\u2019s post noting the suspension had been lifted, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster \u2014 who serves as commander-in-chief of the state\u2019s National Guard \u2014 said he trusted the pilots\u2019 acumen, writing in a social media post that Guardsmen fly in wartime.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, they know how to safely navigate the coast of South Carolina \u2014 and her scores of cheering residents and tourists on our 250th anniversary,\u201d McMaster wrote. <\/p>\n

McMaster\u2019s office said Friday the governor was pleased the suspension had been lifted. Asked whether the governor \u2014 a longtime Trump ally \u2014 had directly intervened, a spokesperson said the office \u201cremains in regular communication with state and federal partners as part of its routine operations.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Pentagon declined to comment beyond Parnell\u2019s statement. Maj. Lisa Allen of the South Carolina National Guard confirmed in an email Friday that the suspension had been lifted but did not respond to a question over whether the Guard were still conducting an internal review.<\/p>\n

Read more Raleigh police ramping up Glenwood South security and promoting safety to youth<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http:\/\/x.com\/MegKinnardAP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COLUMBIA, S.C. 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