The NG has just SUSPENDED all 8 pilots of the Apache helicopters that flew on the "Salute to the Sho

[mystery-ak]

Ah...too bad...it was really cool

https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2075285718666985507

[Timber Rattler]

They're going to get pinched for flying too low over the beach and the people there.  Safety violation.

Still, if I was the commander, I'd just slap them on the wrist and be done with it.  He's now 8 pilots short, and replacements don't come cheap or easily.

[Wingnut]

They're going to get pinched for flying too low over the beach and the people there.  Safety violation.

Still, if I was the commander, I'd just slap them on the wrist and be done with it.  He's now 8 pilots short, and replacements don't come cheap or easily.

Rules are rules.  But, there are exceptions.  Use them.  No harm. No foul.

[Right_in_Virginia]

https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2075432600777494787

[Smokin Joe]

Standing on that beach, that would have been awesome!

Aside from viral video, people would talk and post and remember that for decades.

No ad on TV can buy that.

[Timber Rattler]

Standing on that beach, that would have been awesome!

Aside from viral video, people would talk and post and remember that for decades.

No ad on TV can buy that.

Right, and the risk-adverse CYA commander who suspended them clearly doesn't understand or care about that.  Glad that SecWar has intervened. 

PS:  To be fair to the unit command, there is some cause for the military chain of command to be nervous about such grandstanding. 

Flashback to June 1994:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Fairchild_Air_Force_Base_B-52_crash

https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-boeing-b-52h-stratofortress-fairchild-afb-4-killed


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpP9GcrjzrY&vl=en-US

[Wingnut]

Standing on that beach, that would have been awesome!

Aside from viral video, people would talk and post and remember that for decades.

No ad on TV can buy that.

The only thing missing was speakers blaring  Flight of the Valkyries

[mystery-ak]

Sec War to the rescue, AGAIN, after Natl Guardsmen suspended for July 4th beach flyover
July 10, 2026 | Tom Tillison

Talk about failing to read the room.

The South Carolina Army National Guard temporarily suspended eight Apache helicopter pilots from flight duties for a July 4 Salute from the Shore flyover.

The action was taken pending a review of their “flight profile,” even though a similar incident involving Kid Rock not only drew the attention of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, but compelled him to intervene.

https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2075285718666985507

“I can confirm that the SCARNG is currently reviewing the flight profile of the Apache helicopters that participated in the event,” National Guard Maj. Lisa Allen said in a statement. “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.”

Again, Hegseth wasted little time weighing in, posting on X, “We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots.” Hegseth posted.

more
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/07/10/sec-war-to-the-rescue-again-after-natl-guardsmen-suspended-for-july-4th-beach-flyover-1650028/

[American Girl]

 Patriots are in control.

Testosterone therapy for whoever ordered the suspensions!

Excerpt:

During a brutal heat wave on the Fourth of July, South Carolina beachgoers trying to cool off along the coast got an unexpected and unforgettable surprise. Apache attack helicopters from the state’s National Guard came roaring in low for an impromptu flyover as part of the Salute from the Shore event.

People on the sand and in the water stopped what they were doing, waved, cheered, and recorded the powerful gunships thundering overhead. It was the kind of patriotic moment that lifts spirits and reminds everyone why military displays on Independence Day still matter.

Video:

What started as a crowd-pleasing salute quickly turned into controversy when the South Carolina National Guard decided to ground the eight pilots involved. Initial reports described it as a suspension. The Guard later clarified that the temporary flight suspension was a “routine, non-punitive safety measure” while they reviewed the flight profile. No one was hurt and there was no damage reported.

https://www.usasupreme.com/sd-national-guard-suspended-these-pilots-over-this-flyover-then-pete-hegseth-found-out-about-it-video/

[Cyber Liberty]

https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2075559658001957022