South Carolina Guard Lifts 8 Apache Pilots' Suspension After Hegseth Intervention
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 10
South Carolina Guard Lifts 8 Apache Pilots' Suspension After Hegseth Intervention
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 10
Summary
Eight South Carolina National Guard Apache pilots were restored to flight status effective immediately after a brief suspension tied to their July 4 low-altitude "Salute from the Shore" flyover.
Pete Hegseth moved after reports of the grounding spread online, posting "We'll fix this. Carry on, Patriots," before Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the suspension had been lifted.
South Carolina Guard officials said the grounding was a routine administrative step while the flight profile was reviewed, not a punitive action, and the pilots stayed in good standing, working and being paid.
The reversal followed viral video of the beach flyover and a backlash from conservative influencers and South Carolina Republicans, while the Guard said returning the aviators supports peak operational readiness.