Local owner-pilot wraps up four mission flights for Helene relief

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — It’s a long road to recovery for millions across the southeast region, after Hurricane Helene left behind widespread devastation. One local owner-pilot returned to Columbus from his mission trip, delivering hope and supplies to hurricane victims.

There are whole swaths of land, just wiped out. And you can see it in the video clips, it’s just brown and that brown is not because the grass is gone. That brown is there because it’s feet of dried mud.

Micah Messer, Owner-pilot

Micah Messer has been a pilot since 2021. Last week, he completed four mission flights with Operation Airdrop to Greenville, South Carolina, Ashe County, North Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Operation Airdrop is a nonprofit organization based in Texas, that organizes aviation assets after natural disasters strike.

I expected to see 20, maybe 25 planes, but the entire ramp was covered in planes. We’re talking 30 to 50 pilots flying different aircrafts just with Operation Airdrop. And there’s also AERObridge that was flying and the Cajun Navy.

Micah Messer, Owner-pilot

Messer delivered just shy of one thousand pounds of supplies to multiple airports. He says upon arriving at his drop off locations, he was surprised to see locals heading the distribution efforts instead of government officials.

I thought there’d be more government presence. It seemed like almost all of the government presence is focused on Asheville and all of these smaller communities around weren’t getting that attention. So that’s where you had Operation Airdrop and AERObridge and the Cajun Navy kind of filling that gap.

Micah Messer, Owner-pilot

Messer’s Christian faith is a driving force behind his desire to help.

Being the feet that Jesus calls us to be into that field was absolutely crucial and a big part of why I went.

Micah Messer, Owner-pilot

The footprint left by Hurricane Helene will not be the most lasting memory of the storm for Messer, rather the overwhelming response from neighbors across the nation.

There’s so much negativity out there on a daily basis on social media. You can doom scroll all day, but I got to see the positive side… the good side that we can achieve if we really put our minds to it.

Micah Messer, Owner-pilot

Messer is watching for Hurricane Milton, ready to respond again if his services are needed.

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