Yesterday, we brought you a story about a highly-controversial decision by the National Guard in South Carolina to suspend eight Apache helicopter pilots.
The only crime these pilots committed was patriotism!
They flew their helicopters low over the Charleston shoreline as part of an annual 4th of July celebration.
If you missed it, here’s our original report on the controversy:
Eight Apache Helicopter Pilots SUSPENDED Over July 4th “Salute from the Shore” Flyover
Now, we have an update that a lot of you will be happy about.
Amid all the buzz online, word eventually reached Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
And, he immediately intervened to get the suspensions of these eight patriots lifted.
On X, Hegseth promised to “fix” the situation:
We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots. https://t.co/mJXcG7BNDM
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 10, 2026
Within hours, the Pentagon announced that suspensions of these eight Apache pilots had officially been lifted.
Per Fox News:
Early the next morning, Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman and senior advisor to Hegseth, announced that “effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted.” Echoing Hegseth, he added, “Carry on Patriots.”
The South Carolina National Guard also confirmed:
In a statement shared with Fox News Digital Friday morning, the South Carolina National Guard confirmed the state adjutant general had lifted the administrative suspension of the eight pilots.
The statement referred to the pilots as “experienced aviators” and noted that returning them to flight status “ensures that the South Carolina National Guard maintains its peak operational readiness and remains fully postured to support both state and federal missions.”
“The South Carolina National Guard’s 59th Aviation Troop Command is an exceptional helicopter unit, renowned throughout the Army and the National Guard for its unwavering commitment to excellence and Soldier safety,” the statement read. “As is the hallmark of any professional organization, the 59th Aviation Troop Command continuously self-examines and critically evaluates its training and operations to ensure that the highest levels of professionalism and safety are maintained.
“The subject events of July 4th are no exception, as our pilots remain deeply committed to excellence and the highest standards of safety,” the South Carolina National Guard continued, adding, “The South Carolina National Guard appreciates the outpouring of concern and support from our community and state leaders. Go Guard!”
This clip from Fox News provided further coverage:
🚨 NOW: Patriots are celebrating as SecWar Pete Hegseth just stepped in and LIFTED the suspensions of 8 Apache pilots who celebrated America 250 with a low formation flyover in South Carolina
"There were several reports the pilots were issued suspensions after they landed."… pic.twitter.com/1QoDahLL4t
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 10, 2026
NOW: Patriots are celebrating as SecWar Pete Hegseth just stepped in and LIFTED the suspensions of 8 Apache pilots who celebrated America 250 with a low formation flyover in South Carolina
“There were several reports the pilots were issued suspensions after they landed.”
ADVERTISEMENT“Hegseth PROMISED to get involved…Pentagon says the suspensions have been lifted EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.”
“They were part of this official Salute that takes place down the entire South Carolina shore on the 4th of July.” 🇺🇸
Awesome, @PeteHegseth!
After lifting the suspensions, Pete Hegseth celebrated with this awesome photo on X:
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 10, 2026
What a great picture.
It really sums up what America is all about!
On social media, praise is pouring in for our Secretary of War for taking action to remedy the unfair suspensions:
This is why I love Pete. https://t.co/6ZMF0hjPpX
— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) July 10, 2026
God bless Pete Hegseth
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) July 10, 2026
Best SECWAR we’ve ever had, easily .
— 👣ℙ𝕖𝕕𝕣𝕠’𝕤 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕖🇺🇲 (@OfAthenry) July 10, 2026
I want my tax dollars to go to more of this!!
— America First 🇺🇸 (@EddeyBoi) July 10, 2026
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