About Operation Airdrop
Volunteer Aviation Disaster Relief
Operation Airdrop is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) disaster-relief nonprofit founded after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Powered by volunteer pilots, ground crews, and local partners, we deliver food, water, medical supplies, and other essentials to communities across the United States and beyond when blocked roads or damaged infrastructure disrupt ground delivery. We work with local partners to identify urgent needs and get critical aid to the people who need it most. Together, we deliver hope on wings.
Volunteer — Put your skills to work in the air or on the ground. Join our volunteer network.
Partner — Help us identify local needs and coordinate relief. Contact our team.
Donate — Help us prepare for the next mission and respond when communities need us. Make a gift.
Our Story
When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Southern Texas in 2017, our Founders saw a critical need for general aviation assets to fly humanitarian aid into communities cut off by flooding and damaged infrastructure.
Led by Doug Jackson and a network of aviation enthusiasts, a base of operations was quickly established in Denton, Texas. Within days, hundreds of flights were launched into the affected area, delivering life-saving aid to Beaumont, Orange County, and the greater Houston area.
The relief efforts of this first unofficial mission became the foundation for Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit disaster response organization that mobilizes volunteer pilots and their aircraft to fly urgently needed supplies into affected communities in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters.
Our Mission
Our mission is to respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis, ensuring that essential supplies reach those in need when traditional ground transportation is compromised.
We believe that no community should be left without aid during their most challenging moments. By coordinating with volunteer pilots and a diverse fleet of aircraft, we aim to fill the gaps in emergency response efforts, delivering life-saving supplies such as food, water, medical necessities, and personal hygiene items to isolated areas. Our passionate team of volunteers works tirelessly to mobilize resources, collaborate with local charities, and ensure that help arrives as quickly as possible.
Our Impact
In 2025, Operation Airdrop flew 138 relief flights, distributed 133,306 pounds of supplies, and provided $542,398 in direct disaster relief. With the support of volunteers, donors, and partners, we responded to the Texas Hill Country floods, Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska, and Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, while continuing long-term support for communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
How a Mission Works
When disaster disrupts roads and supply routes, Operation Airdrop works with people on the ground to get essential aid moving.
IDENTIFY LOCAL NEEDS
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, supplies dwindle as needs grow, and requests for help can quickly become overwhelming. Local knowledge helps turn those requests into a coordinated response. We connect with community partners to identify where help is needed most and which supplies will make the greatest difference.
COORDINATE RESOURCES
As communities gather at churches, community centers, and local shelters, these locations become vital hubs for relief. Working with local partners, Operation Airdrop coordinates donated supplies, volunteer pilots, aircraft, and ground crews to prepare deliveries that meet each community’s needs.
FLY IN AND DELIVER AID
Volunteer pilots from across the general aviation community carry critical supplies to accessible airports near communities cut off by flooded or impassable roads. Their time, skills, and aircraft help bridge the gap in the first days after a disaster, complementing the work of larger relief agencies and getting aid where it is urgently needed.
DISTRIBUTE SUPPLIES
Local partners distribute supplies through churches, community centers, and shelters, helping aid reach those who need it most. As roads reopen and ground transportation resumes, Operation Airdrop winds down flight operations and prepares for the next response, while local partners continue supporting their communities through recovery.
Our Team
Our team is made up of dedicated people from different backgrounds, industries, and experiences who all have a passion for service and aviation.
Board Of Directors
Executive Team
