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Apache pilots' suspensions lifted after flyby over South Carolina beach

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Eight Apache helicopter pilots in the South Carolina Army National Guard had their suspensions lifted.
  • The pilots were temporarily suspended after a low-altitude flyover of a South Carolina beach on July 4th.
  • Officials called the suspension a "routine, non-punitive safety measure," but critics, including a congressman, labeled it a "frivolous complaint" and a "misuse of resources."

The suspensions of eight Apache helicopter pilots from the South Carolina Army National Guard have been lifted, the Pentagon announced Friday. The pilots had been temporarily grounded following a low-altitude flyover of a South Carolina beach on July 4th as part of a "Salute from the Shore" event.

The pilots had been suspended because of a "frivolous complaint."

— Congressman Russell FryDescribing the reason for the pilots' suspension on social media.

Video footage showed the helicopters flying over beachgoers who were waving and filming. The exact reasons for the pilots' suspension were not immediately clear. However, Congressman Russell Fry, a Republican from South Carolina, stated on social media that the pilots were suspended due to a "frivolous complaint," without providing further details.

The South Carolina Army National Guard initially described the suspension as a "routine, non-punitive safety measure," emphasizing that it was not a disciplinary action. They stated the soldiers remained in good standing and were continuing with non-flight duties. This explanation, however, did not quell the online backlash.

The suspension was a "routine, non-punitive safety measure" and "not a disciplinary action."

— South Carolina Army National GuardExplaining the nature of the suspension in a social media post.

Fry had written to Major General Robin B. Stillwell, head of the South Carolina Army National Guard, calling the suspension "misguided" and a "misuse of resources." State Representative Tim McGinnis also deemed the suspension "ridiculous" and contacted state officials. Late Thursday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth intervened, promising to "fix this."

The soldiers "remain in good standing."

— South Carolina Army National GuardReassuring that the pilots were not facing disciplinary action.

On Friday morning, Sean Parnell, an assistant to Hegseth, confirmed that the suspension was lifted "effective immediately." The South Carolina Army National Guard has not publicly commented on the reversal. This situation echoes a similar event in March, where two AH-64 Army helicopter pilots were initially suspended after a training mission flyby at singer Kid Rock's home, only to have their suspensions lifted the following day.

Fry wrote to Major General Robin B. Stillwell, the head of the South Carolina Army National Guard, to say that he believed the suspension was "misguided" and a "misuse of resources."

— Congressman Russell FryExpressing his strong opposition to the pilots' suspension in a letter.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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