CONCORD, N.C. — Heroes in the sky are dropping lifelines to the Helene-ravaged towns vehicles are having difficulty reaching, a week after the storm dropped historic, deadly flooding on western NC.
Thursday, sounds of hope took flight from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, as hundreds of volunteers on the ground worked quickly to get a hangar full of donations into private planes and helicopters – many supplied by NASCAR drivers – knowing it is a race against time to save lives.
“I’m retired, I’m available, so I came,” said Ohio pilot David Griffith.
The pilots flying out of Concord are volunteers from all across the country, giving their time and aircrafts this week to fly supplies, medicine – including insulin – and rescue operations to the NC mountains. Their mission is “Operation Airdrop,” the Texas-based 501c3 founded in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey.
Since Sunday, private planes and helicopters have delivered thousands of pounds of donations, including Starlink satellites, and rescued more than 300 people. Though Concord is the hub, Operation Airdrop has satellites in Hickory, Statesville and, as needed, Gatlinburg. Planes primarily fly the supplies to smaller airports near the disaster zone, where helicopters then take over and drop the supplies directly – on fields, roads or landing pads – to people in dire need of help.
Operation Airdrop’s Ryan Spellman explained the organization operates independently from FEMA and state agencies, and it can go to areas requested by loved ones.
“Right now we’re focused on medical needs – over-the-counter medications, stomach chewables, also insulin,” he said.
NASCAR’s Martin Truex, Jr. supplied a fleet of planes, and driver Greg Biffle is flying his own chopper on rescues and drops. He posted a now-viral video of the moment he was flying a mission and noticed something flashing in a field – it was a man holding a mirror, signaling for help.
Micah Messer, a pilot from Alabama, explained the gratitude from people he has helped, further reminding him of a purpose he believes was Heaven-sent.
“Almost every single person's shook my hand and thanked me, and said, ‘Thank you for doing this – thank you for coming.’ I should use the resources God’s given me to help others.”
Operation Airdrop plans to wrap up its command center at the Concord hub by the end of day Friday, Oct. 4, explaining there is less demand for airplanes, now that DOT has reopened some roads. That said, helicopters will continue flying supplies out of the Hickory satellite, as long as there is a need to “move mountains” and help. The remaining efforts will transition to ground transport.
To request search and rescue or aid to a specific community, fill out the request forms on the organization’s website. The group is still accepting volunteers, both supply handlers and pilots.
Operation Airdrop thanks the hundreds of volunteers, who have worked in partnership with Concord Walmart and Miracle Movers, to get the supplies to the hangar.
