Pete Hegseth moved after eight Apache pilots were suspended following a South Carolina flyover, posting on X: "We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots." The pilots had been removed from flight duties after the July 4 Salute from the Shores event, and the suspension was lifted the next morning.
Sean Parnell later said, "effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted." He added, "Carry on Patriots."
Maj. Lisa Alle explains review
Fox Carolina reported that the pilots were told they had been suspended pending an investigation after they landed. Maj. Lisa Alle said the temporary suspension from flight duties was a routine administrative measure whenever a flight profile is under review.
Alle also said, "We want to assure the community that a temporary suspension from flight duties is a routine administrative measure whenever a flight profile is under review. This is not punitive." She said the pilots remained in good standing, were still working and were getting paid.
Salute from the Shores flyover
The flyover used eight Apache helicopters and came during a July 4 event tied to America's 250th anniversary. Beachgoers cheered and waved flags as the helicopters passed low over the coast, and the footage later spread widely online.
The reversal left the pilots back in flight status and under the military's broader review of the flight profile, not a separate disciplinary action. The remaining issue is the specific part of that flight profile review that triggered the temporary suspension in the first place.
