The Pentagon said Friday that it has lifted the suspension of the South Carolina National Guard Apache helicopter pilots who were suspended after flying at low altitude during a Fourth of July airshow.
“Effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a statement on X.
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The decision came less than a day after the suspensions were announced. Shortly after news of the disciplinary action broke Thursday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to reverse it.
“We’ll fix this,” Hegseth wrote on X. “Carry on, Patriots.”
Eight Apache helicopter pilots who flew over Myrtle Beach down the South Carolina coast during the annual Salute From the Shore celebration on July Fourth were temporarily suspended from flight duties while the South Carolina National Guard investigated their flight profile.
“I can confirm that the SCARNG is currently reviewing the flight profile of the Apache helicopters that participated in the event,” Maj. Lisa Allen said Thursday. “As is routine, the pilots involved in the flight have been temporarily suspended from flight duties pending the outcome of this review. Please note that this suspension applies only to flight operations; the pilots continue to report for their regular daily duties in a non-flying capacity.”
Apache helicopter pilots suspended after South Carolina beach air show
Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), who complained about the suspension when it was made public, celebrated the move by the Pentagon on Friday morning.
“Thank you, @PeteHegseth & @SeanParnellASW for handling this promptly and lifting the suspension of the Apache pilots who proudly represented our nation during the Salute from the Shore flyover. These pilots are our nation’s HEROES, and South Carolinians want them treated as such,” Fry said on X.
The Fourth of July event drew thousands of beachgoers to the South Carolina coast to watch military aircraft fly overhead. This year’s celebration marked the first time Apache helicopters participated, with organizers promoting the addition as one of the event’s highlights.
