AERObridge: Business Aviation Delivers Jamaica Relief to Where it’s Needed Most
Business aviation continues to play a critical role in transporting needed supplies to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, with all-volunteer humanitarian organization AERObridge recently delivering generators, chainsaws and other equipment to Montego Bay.
Group volunteer Brad Pierce, CEO of Orlando-based Restaurant Equipment World, accompanied pilot and Textron Aviation Cessna Citation CJ3+ owner Mark Woglom on a Nov. 14 flight to deliver those supplies to relief workers with Gideon Rescue Group.
They, in turn, distributed aid to several locations, including Westmore Nursing Home. “Restoring power to the residents delivered more than just electricity,” said Charley Valera, field director and media relations for AERObridge. “We delivered hope, dignity and care.”
In addition to powering homes, the generators are also used for Starlink satellite receivers and other communications equipment, and to supply electricity for rechargeable batteries for the saws and other equipment.
With commercial airliners and cargo aircraft transporting bulk supplies into the capital city of Kingston, business aircraft are well-suited for delivering more targeted, high-impact supplies and equipment where they’re most needed, right now.
“An airliner can deliver 10,000 tarps at a time; a CJ3+, maybe 10,” Pierce said. “But when the Montego Bay fire department told us they needed chainsaws and blades, and lubricating oil so the blades don’t break as they’re clearing roads, we knew Mark’s plane would be the right tool for that job.”
Over one week, AERObridge also facilitated delivery of fresh water for more than 100,000 people, as well as food, medical aid, personnel and specifically requested items directly into the hands of those who needed them most. “Sending those goods from a government warehouse three weeks from now would have been three weeks too late,” Pierce added.
Teamwork Makes it Happen
Arranging even a single flight is massive undertaking that goes beyond procuring supplies and finding pilots ready to donate their time and aircraft. Each AERObridge flight to Jamaica involves securing the necessary permits to land in the country, and to overfly Cuba; arranging fuel stops, if needed; and coordinating with Jamaican officials and third-party partners to receive and distribute the goods.
All that work behind the scenes ensured Woglom’s flight went to plan. “Once we were in the air heading back home, Mark mused how smooth the flight had been,” Pierce said. “I agreed, and then I showed him the pages of WhatsApp messages among our team, setting things up. There were hundreds of them, all for this one flight.”
That’s in addition to the support provided by Sheltair at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), which has served as AERObridge’s base of operations for Jamaica relief. “From keeping aircraft fueled and ready to go, to happily loading and unloading cart after cart of equipment and supplies, their team our made our jobs that much easier. I can’t begin to express how appreciative we all were for their support and assistance.”
The payoff was a completely uneventful flight, and the knowledge everyone’s efforts served to ease the lives of those recovering from the storm. “From wheels up out of Orlando to driving back to my office, about five hours passed,” Pierce said. “I can’t think of many better ways to have spent those five hours.”
Follow AERObridge on Facebook. The group continues to accept volunteer requests and financial donations at AERObridge.org.
