By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed the U.S. Navy Blue Angels on Thursday amid a review by the military into one of the jets flying at low altitude over a crowd in Florida.
Video footage online showed a jet from the famed flight demonstration squadron flying close above a crowd at Pensacola Beach, Florida — sending sand and beach items flying during an airshow celebrating the squadron's 80th anniversary and the United States' 250th
anniversary.
The Blue Angels, in a statement, said the incident on Wednesday was under review. Current and former officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said video of the incident raised safety concerns but they did not want to prejudge any formal investigation without more information.
Hegseth came out in support of the pilots.
"The flyovers will continue until morale improves," Hegseth said on X, in a play on words that appeared to reference a saying attributed by some to a British captain about beatings continuing until morale improves.
Later on Thursday, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said a "flight debrief" had been completed and there would be no reprimands.
"That’s the sound of Freedom!" he added.
Military aviation is closely regulated and flying at low altitudes can pose serious risks, given the limited reaction time pilots have. In this instance, the pilot would have had little time to avoid aerial objects such as drones or balloons.
"Aviation safety rules are written in blood," Democratic Representative Seth Moulton said. "Glamorizing and excusing reckless behavior like this will only lead to more, until we reach the point where a horrific tragedy occurs because of brazen, careless rhetoric like this," he added.
This is at least the third time in recent months that Hegseth has supported pilots following potentially dangerous aerial maneuvers.
Most recently, the Pentagon lifted the suspensions of helicopter pilots who flew low over the coast of South Carolina.
In March, Hegseth said Army pilots would not be punished after flying attack helicopters near singer Kid Rock's house in an apparent show of support for the vocal backer of President Donald Trump.
The Blue Angels were created in 1946 to generate public support and boost Navy morale by performing aerial moves at air shows, sporting events and other flight demonstrations.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil StewartEditing by Rod Nickel)
