One month after Army aviators briefly triggered an investigation into their motives for conducting a fly-by at Kid Rock’s Nashville estate, the “Devil Without a Cause” rapper was seen in the actual gunner’s seat of an Apache helicopter on Monday (April 28) for a fly-around promoted on social media by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth posted on X, “Joined my friend @KidRock — and some of our great @USArmy Apache pilots — for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!),” along with pictures of Rock and the Secretary with troops on the tarmac, but no actual footage or images from the flight. “Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the brave.”

Comments on the post included one suggesting that the fly-around violated Army Reg 95-1 and DoD 4515.3, which state, “Army aircraft will be utilized for authorized purposes only. Army owned, operated, or controlled aircraft will only be used to transport Army personnel, government property, other official government passengers, or other passengers and cargo as authorized by statute and DOD issuances, or Army Directives, regulations, or policies … Also, air travel must be the most economical mode of transportation consistent with the accomplishment of the military mission, and the particular aircraft to be utilized must be the least costly one available that is capable of satisfying the transportation requirement.”

The latter notes that space-available passenger transportation is extended to: “Uniformed services members and their dependents as an avenue of relief from the demands of duty and prolonged service,” or retired uniformed services members and their families in recognition of their career of duty or other “designated individuals,” on a limited basis, for their “direct service to uniformed services members and their families.” The rules also state that other non-military passengers, including “invited travelers” may ride on military vehicles if invited by the “concerned DoD Component head.”

The flight occurred during a time when military hardware is increasingly strained due to President Trump’s actions in Iran. The cost of jet fuel used to refuel Apaches has surged by more than 55% due to the war and the resulting restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Associated Press, Rock landed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia at 6:30 a.m., and after 1 p.m., a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache took off and performed “a few loops” over the base before landing 10 minutes later.

The DoD rules permit public affairs flights with “high-level approval,” which it is reasonable to assume Hegseth received. However, Apache helicopters are combat aircraft not configured for passenger flights. Another commenter questioned the taxpayer dollars spent on this PR flight using one of the most advanced helicopters in the U.S. arsenal, which AP reported costs up to $7,000 per flight hour at a time when many Americans are struggling with rising gas prices.

The official X press account from California Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “Why are taxpayers paying to fly Kid Rock around on $100 million helicopters?” The AP also noted that Apaches typically have a two-person crew who can both operate the helicopter; thus, having a passenger would mean one crew member would not be able to perform their duties.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Rock’s flight was part of a “community relations event” linked to the White House’s Freedom 250 initiative, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. “Robert ‘Kid Rock’ Ritchie participated in multiple troop engagements with service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day and America’s 250th birthday,” Parnell said in a statement.

In March, Army aviators conducted a fly-by at Rock’s Nashville estate while also flying over a “No Kings” protest against Trump that day in Nashville. This raised questions about whether those flights were authorized. After initially stating it would investigate the maneuvers by the 101st Airborne Division and suspending the pilots, Hegseth intervened and halted the investigation.

Rock’s latest stunt follows widespread mockery from critics in February for an unusual workout video filmed with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., promoting the health secretary’s MAHA agenda.