Apache pilots suspended over July 4 beach flyover are reinstated after Hegseth vowed 'we'll fix this'

Apache pilots suspended over a July 4 beach flyover were reinstated to active duty after Pentagon involvement was pledged to be corrected. Eight pilots from the South Carolina National Guard were grounded following concerns raised by online images showing Apache helicopters flying at what appeared to be a low altitude over beachgoers during the annual “Salute from the Shore” event. The tradition, which has been running for a decade, features military aircraft flying along South Carolina’s 187-mile coastline to foster patriotism; this year marked the first inclusion of Apache helicopters alongside F-16s and C-17s. A review was initiated by the Guard, which characterized the suspension as a routine, non-punitive safety measure, not disciplinary action, with the pilots continuing regular daily duties while not flying. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the suspensions were lifted effective immediately, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote “we’ll fix this.” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also supported the pilots before reinstatement.