From Training to Real-Life Disaster in 24 hours: A Hero Steps In

Over the weekend, Aerial Recovery hosted its bi-annual Disaster Response Training, a transformative experience where our newest group of Heroes trained to become certified Humanitarian Special Operators.These aren't just any volunteers. These are purpose-driven leaders learning to deploy in the world’s darkest moments, bringing hope, order, and healing where it’s needed most.

At this intensive multi-day training, our Heroes learned:

• How to operate in austere environments

• Trauma-informed care for families facing unimaginable loss, including those who’ve lost a child

• Search & rescue  

• Medical response basics

• Convoy operations and knot/rope techniques for earthquakes and floods

• How to use media to report ground truth, coordinate additional aid and report impact to donors

• Mission planning and the heart posture of a true humanitarian

And then, within 24 hours of graduation, it got real.

One of our students from this weekend’s training, Joshua Dukes, returned home to Maui… just as a tsunami warning hit, triggered by one of the strongest earthquakes in decades. Armed with his training and the Aerial ethos, Joshua immediately went into action, bringing calm to chaos, and stepping into leadership in his community during a moment of real threat.

 🎥 See Joshua in Maui Just After the Earthquake 

This is why we train.
This is why we go.
This is why we need you.

Your donations allow us to train more Heroes, respond faster, and stay longer, so that when the world calls, we answer.

👉 Donate Now to Fund More Missions Like This

And if you feel called to serve, we’d love to have you:
👉 Apply to Serve Here

Together, we save lives.
Together, we stop evil.