Posted on 07/09/2026 2:17:21 PM PDT by DFG
An investigation is underway for the eight Apache helicopter pilots who flew during Saturday’s Salute from the Shore event, a tradition that drew thousands to South Carolina’s beaches, ABC affiliate WPDE reported on Thursday.
Military aircraft flew along the coast on Saturday, July 4, from Cherry Grove to Beaufort, and for the first time, Apache helicopters dazzled crowds.
There weren’t any details — no specific reason why they were being investigated, just that they were under investigation," the source said.
The pilots are part of the South Carolina Army National Guard, Alpha Company.
Leading up to the event, WPDE interviewed Capt. Kyle Wise, who said the pilots were excited to give beachgoers a show.
“Oh, it’s going to be fun,” said Wise, a senior pilot instructor with the South Carolina Army National Guard. “You can’t beat it, especially for America’s 250th birthday; those beaches are going to be packed. We’re hoping, pending a few different variables, to stay safe, but we’re open to giving them a show and trying to get as low as feasibly possible.”
However, the flyover has now potentially landed the pilots in hot water.
“Whoever submitted this complaint or concern didn’t give a reason, which again, they have no reason to be under investigation because they did nothing wrong. So no, they cannot find a reason,” WPDE’s source added.
Maj. Lisa Allen with the National Guard confirmed the pilots are suspended from flying operations while an internal investigation looks into their performance during the Salute from the Shore event. Maj Allen says the pilots are still assigned to duties outside of flying, but the investigation is examining any possible safety violations that may have occurred during the flyover.
Thursday morning, Maj. Allen released the following statement:
(Excerpt) Read more at wsoctv.com ...
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
I smell a fekkin leftist.
CRAZY!
I’m wondering if it’s the clip I saw of helicopters flying pretty low over a beach
If that does not chap your a55, nothing will
“Whoever submitted this complaint or concern didn’t give a reason, which again, they have no reason to be under investigation because they did nothing wrong. So no, they cannot find a reason,” WPDE’s source added.
“Oh, it’s going to be fun,” said Wise, a senior pilot instructor with the South Carolina Army National Guard. “You can’t beat it, especially for America’s 250th birthday; those beaches are going to be packed. We’re hoping, pending a few different variables, to stay safe, but we’re open to giving them a show and trying to get as low as feasibly possible.” Anything above 50 feet is in the kill zone right?
<>I’m wondering if it’s the clip I saw of helicopters flying pretty low over a beach<>
You mean the clip at the top of the article?
Somebody didn’t go high enough up the chain of command when requesting permission.
It was probably their altitude. Some father and son fag team got butthurt about it and filed a complaint. I was watching from my balcony at 110 ft and was looking down on the choppers passing over the water. They were at about 50 ft but over the water, far enough out from any swimmers and the winds weren’t a hazard. I guess their CO who got the complaint had to do something. Hopefully the pilots will just get a slap on the hand after the investigation. They came along after the F-16s and C-17 on July 4th. Nice display and it got the packed Grand Strand beaches all fired up and cheering.
Reminds me of the TV series Lioness. They call a Blackhawk Helicopter an Apache Helicopter, over and over.
It’s definitely some Karen, gun grabbing, anti American, snotty ass lefty. They F up everything decent.
I saw a video of this on X. Everybody on the beach was agog and ecstatic, pointing and oohing and aahing, moms & dads pointing them out to their kids. It was so cool.
I can’t believe some stinker anti-American reported it and, even worse, they suspended the pilots. Hegseth needs to step in.
X has a lot of anti-American sentiment (well, maybe 3% or 4%) with people complaining about expenditures on our 250th birthday party. They want the money to pay for tranny surgery instead.
Pilots are in huge demand so those guys are not going anywhere. I saw the video and they did nothing wrong and just flew straight and level along the ocean off shore from the beach with the crowd waving and cheering. If some turd did not like it, stay home next year.
Choppers: High altitude 500 feet.
Planes: low altitude 500 feet.
Looked at the video; Those guys did nothing wrong.
These fly over us weekly. Giant two rotor helicopters too.
They probably have to look into any complaint. As many have said almost certainly by some leftscum. Tis a nothing burger.
These fly over us weekly. Giant two rotor helicopters too.
***********************
One of these guys?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_CH-47_Chinook
That’s it but black
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.