In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating blow to North Carolina, the disaster response has highlighted a striking contrast in relief efforts, with federal officials on one side and grassroots resilience on the other. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, visited the state twice within four days, pledging ongoing federal support and praising local heroes for their courageous efforts. Yet, amid assurances of help from Washington, a very different kind of rescue operation took shape—a testament to the enduring spirit of military veterans and civilians alike who refused to wait for federal agencies to act.
During her visit, Harris toured Charlotte, thanking first responders and volunteers, and reassuring residents that federal aid would continue to pour in. She spoke with survivors like Angelica Wind, who, despite still being without power, was volunteering to pack relief supplies. Harris promised the federal government would stay committed to recovery efforts. However, something fishy has been alleged after her visit.
Enter the “Savage Freedoms Relief Operation,” informally known as the “Redneck Air Force.” This volunteer-driven rescue effort emerged from a Harley-Davidson dealership in the western part of the state, where military veterans and civilians joined forces to save lives and deliver crucial supplies to communities cut off by washed-out roads and unprecedented flooding. Spearheaded by Adam Smith, an ex-Green Beret who took action after finding his family stranded, the group rapidly evolved from horseback rescues and road surveys to an operation of military-scale precision.
On of the private pilots helping recovery efforts has made an incredible allegation. According to whistleblowers, the North Carolina National Guard was ordered to load a C-17 with supplies for victims so Kamala could take a picture. But officials never sent the plane after the photo op. The allegations made by whistleblowers appear to indicate that the loading of the plane was just done for a photo op so Kamala would look good.
NEW: The NC National Guard allegedly loaded an entire C17 with supplies just so Kamala Harris could stage a photo-op for Hurricane Helene without the intention of the supplies being used.
The accusation came from Aerial Recovery members Jonathan Howard and Charlie Keebaugh on… pic.twitter.com/z3MLkrwDmI
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 11, 2024
The “Redneck Air Force” has mobilized over 35 aircraft, including private planes, crop dusters, and even National Guard Chinooks, to airlift doctors, generators, medicine, and food to isolated regions. The scene resembled a warzone more than a civilian rescue effort, with veterans in camo and combat boots overseeing logistics and coordinating flights based on real-time intelligence gathered from social media and a tip line.
The impressive effort was not without its criticisms of federal agencies. Volunteers voiced frustration with the late arrival of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which didn’t appear on the scene until nearly a week after the storm had wreaked havoc, claiming at least 232 lives. Smith, who had harsh words for FEMA’s perceived incompetence, went so far as to tell agency representatives to stay away, fearing the federal presence would entangle the streamlined operation in bureaucratic red tape.
Instead, the volunteers continued to rely on community support and donations to sustain their mission. They raised nearly $190,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and acquired essential supplies, such as portable generators, winter jackets, and fuel. As temperatures dipped, the volunteers ensured the vulnerable had access to warmth and medical aid. Their tireless work, fueled by a shared sense of duty and camaraderie, kept the mission alive and the spirit of service strong.
While Harris’s visits provided reassurance and underscored federal efforts to assist North Carolina, the story of the “Redneck Air Force” revealed another dimension of the recovery—one driven by ordinary people stepping up in extraordinary ways. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of grassroots action in times of crisis and the enduring determination to help neighbors when official channels fall short. As North Carolina rebuilds, the legacy of these self-organized rescuers will be remembered as a beacon of hope amid the storm’s aftermath.
