HICKORY, N.C. — Throughout the day Monday, constant helicopter sounds permeated Hickory Regional Airport. For countless people trapped in the destruction left behind by Helene, it is the sounds of solace and help on the way.
Matt McSwain, a pilot from Mount Holly, is among those volunteering with the aerial rescue missions in Western North Carolina, a largely grassroots effort under the umbrella of relief organization Operation Airdrop.
“We just organized a private helicopter army to go in and survey the damage, extract people and take supplies in, and create landing zones for people to have supply routes in and out," McSwain said. "We've had 37 helicopters to date. Volunteers: We've had people from Texas to Maine, all along the East Coast just show up and say, 'How do we help?'"
For those drawing parallels to the "Cajun Navy," which emerged to help amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, McSwain has his own light-hearted take on the work underway right now in North Carolina.
"It’s a redneck navy--redneck Marine Corps. I’m a former Marine," he said, with a laugh.
Inside the war room, there is an attempt to coordinate help in what feels like chaos. There is a station where the group gathers calls for help--often from social media posts, then, triages the severity of the need, and what supplies should go on the flight, and then, attempts to find the person in distress.
One of the biggest hurdles, McSwain said, is not having places to land.
"When we go to those GPS coordinates, it might be a mile, two miles on one side or the other," McSwain said.
On Tuesday the group plans to help with another major concern, lack of phone service. He said they will be shuttling in Starlink communication devices for first responders.
"There are actual whole communities that are completely cut of from the grid," McSwain said. "We tried to establish communications with the local sheriff’s departments, fire departments. There are no communications."
Operation Airdrop is actively raising money for fuel. McSwain said the group is spending $60,000 a day to fuel flights. Those interested in bringing donations for the Hickory operation can visit the Appalachian State Hickory campus.