Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed support for low-altitude military flyovers after a Navy Blue Angels jet flew so low over a Florida beach that it displaced chairs and tents, prompting a safety review.

Blue Angels Flyover Sparks Safety Concerns

Video widely shared on social media showed the jet passing just feet above beachgoers in Pensacola on Wednesday, kicking up sand and startling onlookers. The U.S. Navy initially stated it would conduct a "thorough safety review."

By Thursday, Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, praised the maneuver. Hegseth posted on X, "The flyovers will continue until morale improves," while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell shared a photo of the jet with the caption "Carry on Patriots." The White House also tweeted a cartoon endorsing the display.

Prior Incidents and Halted Investigations

This is at least the third instance where Hegseth has publicly supported such maneuvers, which have drawn scrutiny and military investigations. In March, Army helicopters flew near Kid Rock’s Tennessee home during a training run; Hegseth later ended the suspension of the crews, stating, "No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots."

In July, eight South Carolina National Guard pilots were suspended after Apache helicopters flew low over beachgoers. Hegseth intervened, and the suspensions were lifted the next day.

Safety Experts Warn of Risks

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the NTSB and FAA, called the military’s acceptance of such behavior "reckless." He stated, "A cavalier attitude like that can only lead to accidents."

Former Transportation Department Inspector General Mary Schiavo noted that while these flyovers may not violate military rules, they remain dangerous, especially for demonstration teams like the Blue Angels.

Deadly Precedents and Next Steps

Past incidents have turned fatal. In April 2025, a Japanese woman died after propeller wash from an Air Force helicopter knocked her down. In 2011, the Blue Angels canceled shows after a low-altitude maneuver was deemed "unacceptable."

The Navy’s next Blue Angels show is scheduled for Saturday, with no announced changes. Pentagon spokesman Jacob Bliss declined to confirm whether another safety investigation would be halted.