Topline
The Army is launching a probe into the use of two attack helicopters that appeared to conduct hovers at the Nashville, Tennessee, home of singer Kid Rock, who posted videos over the weekend showing the flybys.
Key Facts
Army spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell told Forbes the Army “is aware of a video circulating online that appears to show AH 64 Apache helicopters operating in the vicinity of a private residence in the Nashville area.”
Montrell did not explicitly name Kid Rock, who posted two videos of him saluting and cheering on the helicopters hovering and flying by what appears to be the back side of his home.
Kid Rock used the post to blast California Gov. Gavin Newsom, writing, “This is a level of respect that s— for brains Governor of California will never know.”
Russell said an “administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements,” adding “appropriate action” would be taken if the probe finds violations were made.
Jonathon Bless, a spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, told Task & Purpose that command “initiated an investigation to review the circumstances surrounding this activity.”
Bless told Nashville television station WTVF that the helicopters also flew over a “No Kings” protest in downtown Nashville, though 101st Airborne is not aware if the flyover was incidental or deliberate.
Big Number
The hourly reimbursable rate for the use of an AH-64D by a Department of Defense branch is $11,034, according to fixed wing and helicopter reimbursement rates that were made effective in October. The hourly rate for an AH-64E, an enhanced and more cost-effective version of the AH-64D, is $6,481.
Key Background
The Trump administration has openly paraded and deployed military forces throughout the president’s second term. Trump ordered the Pentagon to organize a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Army’s founding on the president’s 79th birthday. Preliminary estimates for the parade ranged between $25 million and $45 million. The parade coincided with “No Kings” protests across the country. The protests were initially triggered after Trump deployed federal troops to Los Angeles last summer as demonstrators protested widespread immigration operations in the city. The Trump administration has attempted to deploy or deployed the National Guard in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and New Orleans.
How Popular Is Kid Rock? MAGA’s Favorite Rocker Peaked In Popularity About 20 Years Ago (Forbes)
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