WASHINGTON — Entertainer Kid Rock and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took rides in Army Apache attack helicopters at a Virginia military installation Monday, according to a Pentagon official. The flights occurred just weeks after military aviators faced criticism for flying similar aircraft near the musician’s Tennessee property.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described the helicopter rides as part of a “community relations event” supporting Freedom 250, a White House program organizing activities for America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
“Robert ‘Kid Rock’ Ritchie participated in multiple troop touches with service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day, America’s 250th birthday, and for his Freedom 250 tour,” Parnell stated.
The controversy began in March when Army helicopter crews flew Apache aircraft near the residence of Kid Rock, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump. Those same helicopters also passed over a “No Kings” demonstration protesting the Trump administration in Nashville, raising concerns about flight safety and proper authorization.
Military officials initially launched an investigation into the March incidents involving pilots from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and suspended the crew members. However, Hegseth quickly stepped in to halt the inquiry.
Army leadership explained that the helicopters were conducting training exercises when they visited Kid Rock’s property and insisted their presence was unrelated to the nearby protest.
Flight tracking data shows Kid Rock’s private aircraft departed Nashville early Monday morning, touching down at Fort Belvoir in Virginia at 6:30 a.m.
Around 1 p.m., a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter lifted off, completed several circuits around the installation, and returned to base approximately 10 minutes later, according to the Military Air Tracking Alliance, an organization that monitors global military aviation activity using open-source intelligence.
The Apache used for Monday’s flights was among four such helicopters, along with two H-60 Blackhawk aircraft, that had traveled to the Virginia base from Fort Campbell over the weekend.
Drop Site News initially reported Monday’s helicopter activities in Virginia.
Operating an Army Apache helicopter costs approximately $7,000 per flight hour, an Army official revealed, speaking anonymously to discuss information not cleared for public disclosure.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office criticized the flights on social media, questioning, “Why are taxpayers paying to fly Kid Rock around on $100 million helicopters?”
Newsom frequently opposes Trump administration policies and is considered a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2028.
Colorado Democratic Representative Jason Crow, who previously served as an Army Ranger, also used social media to ask: “Why is Pete Hegseth spending your taxpayer dollars to give Kid Rock ‘joy rides’ on Apache helicopters?”
When questioned about expenses related to public events involving celebrities or military demonstrations, defense officials typically maintain that such activities satisfy routine pilot training needs and therefore don’t create additional taxpayer costs.
Kid Rock also addressed a small gathering of military personnel in the Pentagon’s media briefing room and answered several questions, according to someone familiar with the event who requested anonymity due to concerns about potential retaliation.
Flight tracking records indicate Kid Rock’s aircraft returned to Nashville shortly after 3 p.m. Monday.
Apache helicopters normally operate with two crew members who are both qualified pilots, though one typically concentrates on operating the weapons systems. Carrying a passenger requires removing one crew member, which means Hegseth and Kid Rock would have flown in separate aircraft.
