Blue Ice Aviation

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Zach is Home, This is His Last Report of Haiti

I am home at last and it feels good to be back in America.  We safely flew 70 plus hours in 3 weeks.  By Gods grace I was healthy the whole time and the helicopter worked flawlessly.  We flew 18 people to the hospital for medical emergencies.  We also flew medical supplies, food, and medical teams.  We did several survey flights to assess the need for medical attention and water in remote villages, and just a couple of beach landings to take a quick swim.  It was an amazing experience, that I feel privileged to have been a part of.

 

It was hard to see so much pain and suffering day after day.  The devastation in Port-a-Prince is overwhelming.  We would usually take off from the airport and head south west over the worst of it.  I couldn’t help but think, as we flew over miles of densely packed and destroyed houses, how many sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers lay buried beneath all the rubble. 
There is hope for Haiti though.  The last day I flew over the streets of Port-a-Prince, they were packed with people gathered together to pray and worship God.  It might seem that this terrible earthquake would cause the Haitian people to curse God and turn further from Him, but instead, they are being drawn to Him.  The hope for Haiti is the same hope that is available to the whole world.  His Son, Jesus Christ.  Keep praying for the people of Haiti.

 

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Zach’s Report from Haiti on Feb 9th

Zach told me yesterday that they hoped to bring baby food out to an orphanage today.  Below is Zach’s report from the day’s events.  Through my brother’s request, and and my judgement, we have filtered some of the stories and photos because we don’t want to share things for shock factor or drama’s sake.  I am simply trying to communicate the needs that are in Haiti without being grotesque or dramatic.  Zach’s words on the medical situation in Haiti are eye-opening to the reality of the pain that is in Haiti right now.  

We flew to the orphanage.  It was nice by Haiti standards but still very sad.  Father John who runs the orphanage was very glad to see us even though we only brought an R44 load of baby food.  That will get them by for a few days, and we lined up an A-Star 350 that is going to sling-in I ton of food for them.  We do a lot of networking for people.  Father John out on the island of El la Viche has no idea how to get a substantial amount of food quickly.  And that was the bigger goal we had, to make sure he was legit and there really was a need.  Then we use our contacts to get them some serious food.  So anyway I was talking about the extremes; we leave this sad but functioning orphanage and in 10 minutes we had landed on a secluded Caribbean beach and took 20 minutes to enjoy a swim.  Then in another 40 minutes we are in the smoke, dust and grim of Port-Au-Prince.  It feels unreal at times.  And now I am sitting in the orphanage, which is a resort by Haiti standards, listening to a couple of doctors and nurses re-run the gruesome events of the day over dinner.  Gangrene…infection…amputation…skin grafts…chest tubes…shunts…setting bones…re-breaking bones…crushed pelvis, foot, leg, arm, finger…burns…sutures…still born, it doesn’t seem to end.

 

I don’t know if I am getting used to the chaos or if things are really slowing down.  I felt things settle-down a little about 5 days after I got here, but it is more noticeable now.  We are on the downhill slide, which is bad for Haiti, because the needs here are probably going to increase.  Hopefully people stay even though the photo-ops are decreasing.  I am convinced that some people show up just to look, like it is some kind of a show.  Thanks for the prayers.  The machine has been running really good and Martin and I are getting it dialed-in.  I feel like we are getting better (and more cautious) every day.  Need to get going.

Love ya’ bro,

Z

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Zach’s Report from Haiti for Feb. 8th

Zach called me yesterday from Haiti and told me that he was exhausted but things were going well. He will only be down there one more week before heading back to Arizona and then off to the Phillipines. He has been getting more flying than he expected as the word spread and needs were made known. Today Zach flew out and picked up a 2 year old girl that needs heart surgery. He has been doing quite a few medevacs which come with their own challenges because the stakes are high on both ends. He is in good health and the helicopter continues to operate perfectly which is a real blessing.

Zach said the locals are fearing the rainy season, and the disease that will spread in the months to come as there are still many bodies still un-recovered and people are living in tents. In many ways the struggles are just beginning for Haiti as the worlds focus moves on to other things. The helicopter belonging to Samaritan Air, that Zach has been flying, will stay in Haiti indefinitely as the needs are still very great. Thank God for the people who are able to be there for the long-haul.

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Zach’s Report from Haiti for February 2nd

Zach sent this to me 30 minutes ago.  It’s cool to see that our boys are down there in an Alaskan C-17. I was also glad to see that he has peanut butter, crackers, and skittles … you could conquer the world on that combo.

“Haiti is such a thrash that it is laughable, by as early as 10:00 AM the strain is starting to show on everyone.  Hopefully I get a good nights sleep tonight that’s all I really need right now.  I may have to do a flight to the Dominican Republic tomorrow AM.  I tried to get out of it but I think I may be stuck.”

Gotta keep rollin, Zach

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Zach’s Report From Haiti — A Specific Need

Here is one of the latest emails from my brother.
Hey dude,

 

You asked about specific needs and I immediately thought of one.  I’m not sure if this is a need you are going to fill, or if you have other people that are interested in helping-from your blog maybe?  The orphanage we are staying at has only a few vehicles that in reality are being destroyed by the incredibly hard use they are experiencing right now.  There are several medical teams here right now, Heli Mission and us, Samaritan Air.  And everyone is using the vehicles to get around.  I’m afraid when the dust settles and everyone leaves they will have a couple of junk vehicles and still have an orphanage to run.  What do you think?  Probably way beyond what you where thinking, but that is what came to mind.  We are talking $15,000-$18,000 to get a good vehicle, the Toyota Hilux is what they drive down here.  The orphanage is run by World Harvest Ministries which is a lady that has a heart for Haiti and survives hand to mouth.  Its not like this is some big emergency but it is what came to my mind when you asked about specific needs.

 

Had another good day yesterday, very challenging but at least I wasn’t dehydrated, starving and sleep deprived.  That always helps to have the basics.  More of the same today, if we can get gas, it will be nice to go to places we have already been.  

Love ya, z

 

The orphanage Zach is speaking of can be found at http://miriamfrederick.org/

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My Brother’s Report from Haiti on January 28th

I am including notes from three of Zach’s emails representing 2 different days and some fantastic pictures.  

Day (6)

“Had another good day.  We took a team out to a couple different villages to asses the needs.  It’s expensive but there is no other way to figure out who needs the most help.  We landed at two coastal villages that where really pretty.  If I had more time we would stop and swim several times a day.  I only fly 2-3 hours a day (if that) but I don’t know how much more I would want to fly.  The heat and continuous stress takes it out of you.
Today we got kicked out of our little landing site at the airport.  It was commandeered by mortuary affairs; they are the people that deal with the dead bodies being shipped to the states.  They had hundreds of caskets stacked in my landing site when I got back from one of the flights-kinda grim.  Its about 10000 degrees in this room, I gotta get out of here and take a shower. “

Day (7)

“We did medical flights today and
got done early so I tried to help out in the hospital a little bit.
Definetly not what I am cut out for.  It doesn’t bother me in passing but I
don’t know how the doctors work on these patients all day long.

Today we brought a 2-5 year old boy out, his parents had been killed in the
earthquake and the poor little guy was dehydrated and starving.  We don’t
know his age because he is so stunted in his growth.  He is here at the
orphanage now and his life should improve drastically.  It is emotionally
draining, I just hope we can continue to help the people that need it the most.”  

“Today had a little different feel in the air, a little less frenzied and chaotic.  We actually got back to the orphanage at 4:00 and ate a proper dinner.  Its sad to say but everyone in Port-Au-Prince has either died or found a hospital at this point.  One notable exception is yesterday they found a 16 year old girl alive in the rubble.  She was trapped in a shower so she had water and was able to survive.  Very likely that she is the last survivor.  I think I will stay until the 14th of Feb. there is plenty to do but it has changed from trauma victims to more long term care.  Here’s and interesting one; the farmers are really hurting now because of all the free food around.  Isn’t that sad, it seems there are always unintended consequences to everything we do.  

The little boy in the picture is the one whose parents died.”



So that is the most recent report from my brother.  I had not heard from Zach in a couple of days because he had been so busy.  It is good to see him doing what he was born to do.  My brother is the most capable person I know.  He has flown with Mike and I for the last several years in the Super Cubs and Cessna-185.  He is also the mechanic who completely rebuilt our Cessna 185 when it got back from the Philippines.  He is gifted in so many areas, and

he has an unbelievable family.  I told my sister-in-law, and good friend, Jane that it would be great if she updated her blog so folks could read about their family.  If you are interested in reading about where Zach and his family are headed and what they are doing click here.

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Zach’s Haiti Report for Jan 25th

Here is the email.


Thank you for your prayers!  



We brought a load of doctors and nurses to a rural village to help with the influx of wounded that are trying to get out of the city.  It was an amazing landing site.  The village was in the hills but on the coast and down in a little hole.  Helicopters only landing area-very fun.

There are countries from all over the world set up down here at the airport and they are doing and amazing job.  I walked around a huge tent hospital that they have set up on the airport, it is jam packed with hurting people, totally heart breaking.  But on the positive side at least they are being cared for in a clean air conditioned tent.  Without this huge outpouring of help I think more people would die after the quake than in it.  The most simple wounds that are not taken care of get infected and cause amputations and death.  I wish things could work together a little more smoothly but at least things are getting done.

We had a cool miracle yesterday.  The airport ran out of Av-Gas for who knows how long but as the empty fuel truck drove away a big twin engine airplane pulled up.  As a joke I said “our gasoline just pulled up”, but then thought that was a pretty good idea and we went and asked.  He drained enough gas out of his wings to keep us going today, and hopefully he will show up tomorrow and give us enough for tomorrow.  Keep praying that we can keep going.  Everything is day to day here.

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5 Minutes Ago From my Brother in Haiti

I got these 5 minutes ago from my brother.  Here is what he said about the day.

It was a long hot day but very good.  We brought some medical supplies to a place about 90 miles away that was completely out of medicine.  The doctor was extremely grateful, and was hoping that we could bring him more.  We landed in the wrong village because we did not know exactly where we were going, but they pointed us in the right direction and we eventually got there.  We land in soccer fields and are instantly mobbed by the entire village.  Martin jumps out and keeps everyone away from the helicopter while I shut down, pretty nerve wracking.  That one trip took the entire day because everything is such a thrash, but at least we got it done.

 

At least I didn’t have to drive around the city all day.  You asked about the smell-its terrible.  Where ever there are big piles of rubble the smell of death is just thick in the air. And there are clouds of flies.  Pretty bad stuff.  Today in one of the villages a girl came up to me with a severed finger and gangrene on the rest of her hand.  I couldn’t do anything, but I gave her money to get a cab to the hospital we had just resupplied.  That was a good feeling to help out on a personal level but the frustrating thing is I don’t think she will go because she said she didn’t want to.  What can you do but try?  The nurse I had flown out said she could die from the infection.  I will try to get a few pictures to you.  Love ya’  Z 

There is a need for gasoline.  And the logistical hurdles are horribly frustrating.  This is all I know for now.

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The Latest Pictures from my Brother in Haiti

Here is the email he just sent me:


Hey dude,

 

I would like to try and describe how it is down here but I am too tired to think, but I will try.  It is totally filthy and destroyed but often you cant tell if it is because of the earthquake or if it has always been this way.  Anywhere that there is a big pile of rubble the flys increase and the smell of death is so strong you can taste it.  It is really terrible, by far the worst place I have ever been.

 

I spent the whole day in the city today running down medical supplies to be flown out.  It is a logistical nightmare trying to coordinate things enough to be effective.  We will know better in a few day if it will be worth staying.  There is tons of work that could be done but getting the supplies is almost impossible at this point.  I suppose you cant blame the military because they cant just have a free for all, but it is really frustrating trying to make things work out.  I think I am bringing out some medical supplies to a doctor tomorrow, and some other stuff, not totally sure.  You wouldn’t believe this airport, it is almost total chaos.  The controller can just barely keep a handle on things.  There is everything from 206’s to C117’s and all the fixed wing have to wait at least 10 minutes to get off the ground.  Total zoo.

 

I will know better in a few days if it would be worth you coming down here but at this point it is not.  Wish you could drive around with us and be frustrated though.  Love ya, z

It just hurts to look at.  We have it so good in the U.S.A.  I chose not to show one of his pictures because it was too disturbing.  I have nothing to add, but please pray for the survivors and those trying to help.

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My Brother’s en-route to Haiti in a Helicopter

My brother, Zach Keller, and I both attended missionary aviation schools.  Missionary Pilots serve around the world hauling needed supplies in and out of the most remote jungles, desserts, and mountains.  Zach is currently working for New Tribes Mission Aviation, and is headed to the Philippines as a helicopter and fixed wing pilot later this year.  He started his training in 1999,  and is only now getting to serve in this capacity.  Missionary aviation training is an incredibly lengthy process because of the specialized roles each person plays on the foreign field, as well as the expense involved with training.  Each missionary pilot must be mechanically inclined as well as proficient with an aircraft.  Not to mention cultural and linguistic schooling.

Zach is in the process of gaining flight experience to fly overseas, and has been given the opportunity to fly a helicopter to Haiti.  He called me yesterday to tell me that this was a possibility, and I woke up this morning with a message on my phone telling me he was taking-off.  They landed in Stella Maris, Bahamas this evening and went through customs, they will be departing for Port-Au-Prince at 7 am tomorrow.  Their plan is to spend a couple of weeks flying support in Haiti.  These pictures were taken today and emailed to me this evening, I have no descriptions with them.  My brother is the guy on the left, he has a wife and three kids in Arizona.  I have asked Zach to keep me posted, if time/internet allows.  I hope to post more images as the days unfold.  All things are subject to change, we will see what happens.  In the mean-time you can keep Zach, and all the surviving victims of this tragic event in your prayers.

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