Submitted by event organizers.

Last Saturday, several island pilots volunteered their aircraft, time and fuel to conduct an organized exercise of the logistics transport of food from the mainland to the island in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake, etc.

“The weather was great on Saturday and we flew over 750 pounds to the island which was then delivered by volunteer Nellie Pacheco to the island food bank. Rachel at the bank was very appreciative of this infusion of nonperishable food to our local food bank,” Bob Brunkow reported.

Past San Juan Association President Dan Schwartz and Dr. Rhys Spoor helped organize the local efforts. Local pilots who participated were Spoor, Chris and Ronnie Chiouinard, and Peter Brown, current San Juan Pilot Association president.

The regional umbrella organization is called Emergency Volunteer Air Corps. The airlift involved facilities locations and volunteer pilots and amateur radio operators from Olympia up through Bellingham.