Key facts
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supports low-altitude military flyovers.
- A Blue Angels jet flew very low over a crowded Florida beach, causing a stir.
- The Navy initially stated it was conducting a safety review of the incident.
- Hegseth and other Trump administration officials have praised such maneuvers.
- Previous similar incidents involving military aviators have seen Hegseth intervene to end investigations.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is backing low-altitude military flyovers, even after a recent incident where a Navy Blue Angels jet flew extremely low over a crowded Florida beach, causing sand and debris to be kicked up. The U.S. Navy initially announced a "thorough safety review" of the Pensacola beach flyover.
However, Hegseth posted on social media that "The flyovers will continue until morale improves," a sentiment echoed by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell and the White House, which tweeted a message of support for America. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated that the Navy had "no problem" with the flight and that no reprimands would occur.
This is not the first time Hegseth has publicly supported military aviators performing maneuvers that have drawn scrutiny. In two previous cases, his remarks led to the end of safety investigations into Army helicopter crews flying near Kid Rock's home and South Carolina National Guard pilots. In both instances, Hegseth intervened, stating "We'll fix this" and lifting suspensions, with Parnell posting "Carry on Patriots."
Safety experts have voiced concern over the military leadership's stance. Jeff Guzzetti, an aviation safety consultant, called the attitude "reckless behavior" that could lead to accidents. Mary Schiavo, a former Transportation Department Inspector General, noted that while such flights might not violate military rules, performing risky maneuvers over people is dangerous.