May 22, 2026
The Kid Rock Flyby Controversy and the Erosion of Military Professionalism
This article was originally published in War on the Rocks.
On March 28, two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell flew near “No Kings” protestors in Nashville before flying to the home of musician Robert “Kid Rock” Ritchie, who has been a consistent and vocal supporter of the Trump administration. Kid Rock took pictures and video of the helicopters hovering near his mansion, which he later posted online along with derogatory comments about the Democratic governor of California.
Adherence to high standards and a willingness to conduct investigations when those standards may have been violated are a feature of the American military and contribute in no small part to the public’s high regard for the institution.
The high-profile nature of helicopters flying near a large public gathering and then hovering near a private residence led to widespread media coverage and raised several concerns, the first of which were safety and the appropriate use of government resources. Even President Donald Trump, when asked about the flight, stated, “Well, they probably shouldn’t have been doing it. Yes, you’re not supposed to be playing games, right?”
Read the full article in War on the Rocks.
More from CNAS
-
Congressional Testimony
National Security Human Capital
The Airpower We Need for Irregular WarfareWhy does providing aircraft to partner forces so often fall short of building an effective air force? Retired Lieutenant General Anthony Rock, Michael Horowitz, and Tobias Swi...
By Tobias Switzer
-
Reports
National Security Human Capital
Redrawing the MapExecutive Summary The United States is home to 17.3 million veterans in 2026—a population that has declined from 21.0 million in 2015, as older, conscription-era veterans have...
By Katherine L. Kuzminski
-
Podcast
National Security Human Capital
CDC, National Dept, General OfficersThe remarkable Kate Kuzminski, director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, joins us this week discuss the health of the general officer corps in the US mili...
By Katherine L. Kuzminski
-
Podcast
National Security Human Capital
The USS Abraham Lincoln and the Toll of the Iran WarKatherine Kuzminski, director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, joins KQED to discuss the USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship has not stopped at port since Decem...
By Katherine L. Kuzminski
