Eight South Carolina National Guard helicopter pilots who were grounded after a low-flying sweep over crowded beaches during a July 4 celebration have been reinstated to active duty.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the decision on social media, stating, "Effective immediately, the suspension of all involved South Carolina pilots has been lifted. Carry on Patriots."
The pilots were suspended following concerns raised by online images of Apache helicopters flying at what appeared to be a low altitude over beachgoers during the annual "Salute from the Shore" event.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reshared video of the flyover Thursday and said that the Pentagon was getting involved, writing, "We’ll fix this. Carry on, Patriots." Additional video obtained by local ABC affiliate WPDE showed the choppers flying close to the water in Myrtle Beach.
The "Salute from the Shore" is a decade-long tradition honoring service members, featuring military aircraft flying along the state's 187-mile coastline to foster patriotism. This year marked the first inclusion of Apache helicopters alongside F-16s and C-17s.
The South Carolina National Guard initiated a review after the social media posts, clarifying the suspension as "a routine, non-punitive safety measure, not a disciplinary action."
The grounding drew swift criticism from state and federal officials.
Republican Rep. Russell Fry, whose district includes Myrtle Beach, asserted that the pilots "should be celebrated, not sanctioned."
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who commands the state's National Guard, also voiced his support shortly before the reinstatement.
He expressed confidence in the pilots' expertise, noting that Guardsmen "fly in wartime" and adding, "Surely, they know how to safely navigate the coast of South Carolina — and her scores of cheering residents and tourists on our 250th anniversary."
A day before the Pentagon’s announcement, Maj. Lisa Allen with the South Carolina National Guard said in a statement, "We sincerely appreciate the strong community support for our service members and the enthusiasm surrounding the 'Salute from the Shore' event. We are also aware of the public feedback and concerns regarding the temporary suspension of the Apache pilots involved.
"We want to assure the community that a temporary suspension from flight duties is a routine administrative measure whenever a flight profile is under review. This is not punitive, the Soldiers are still in good standing with the South Carolina National Guard. As previously noted, these service members continue to report for their regular daily duties in a non-flying capacity while the review takes place. This standard procedure ensures a fair and objective process for everyone involved."
Allen concluded, "The South Carolina Army National Guard holds its aviators to the highest standards of professional conduct and aviation regulations. Our absolute top priority is, and always will be, the safety of our personnel and the communities we fly over. Conducting thorough reviews when questions arise is how we maintain those high safety standards and ensure we can safely participate in future public events.
"We appreciate the community's patience, understanding, and continued support as we conduct a comprehensive review of this event.”
The Pentagon declined to elaborate beyond Parnell's statement.
