Kid Rock Takes Flight with Army Secretary Pete Hegseth
On Monday, Kid Rock and Army Secretary Pete Hegseth soared through the sky in an Army Apache attack helicopter. This event followed recent scrutiny faced by helicopter crews after a flyby incident over a Tennessee lock.
The musician, known as Robert James Ritchie, was at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he engaged with the crew of an AH-64 Apache helicopter and enjoyed a “ride-along.” Hegseth shared updates on social media about the experience.
During their visit, the 55-year-old musician and Hegseth flew in separate helicopters. The AH-64 Apache is noteworthy as the U.S. military’s top-tier attack helicopter. It features a 30 mm cannon and anti-tank missiles, and it’s quite pricey to operate, costing around $7,000 per hour.
Hegseth expressed his appreciation for Kid Rock, describing him as a “patriot” and a strong supporter of the military. He mentioned that the Army is enthusiastic about celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, recognizing the freedom fought for by military personnel.
Additionally, Hegseth shared a picture of Kid Rock speaking to soldiers in a Pentagon press room. A Pentagon spokesperson noted that this flight was part of a “community engagement event” where the duo interacted with troops and filmed a video in honor of Memorial Day and the anniversary celebrations.
Kid Rock arrived at the base via a private jet from Nashville just for this occasion and returned right afterward. This flight comes on the heels of a recent incident where Apache helicopters from the 101st Airborne Division were questioned after Kid Rock shared a video that showed two helicopters flying low near his Tennessee mansion.
In that earlier video, the singer commended those who have served, standing outside his home while saluting the helicopter crew hovering nearby.
On the same day, an Apache helicopter also flew over protests in Nashville, though the Army clarified that this training flight was unrelated to the demonstrations. Following the initial incident with the two-man crew, the Army opened an investigation and temporarily suspended the personnel involved. However, Hegseth later had his suspension lifted, remarking, “No punishment, no investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
