When disaster struck western North Carolina in Hurricane Helene, one of the fastest groups able to mobilize resources was a volunteer group of current and former military members. The former pilots brought their helicopters, the naval men brought their boats, and the intelligence officers brought their
search-and-rescue expertise. Everyone had a role and was able to pool their training and resources to quickly and efficiently get to work.

Over 800 volunteers were mobilized over the month of October, coming from all across the country, and even some active military from across the world, to camp out for weeks on end at a flooded-out Harley Davidson lot. From early-morning meetings and prayer circles to late-night returns from locating bodies with retired cadaver dogs, the group worked tirelessly to bring aid and answers to the people of Western North Carolina.

During the immediate aftermath, FEMA, the governmental organization for disaster aid, had sparse resources and was highly criticized for its slowness in mobilizing. So in the wake of a disaster like Helene in a town with limited experience when it comes to hurricanes, Savage Freedom Ops was just what Asheville needed.

Above, houses in Western N.C. closest to the rivers were hit the worst. In the town of Swannanoa, every house on the street could be seen emptied of its contents as a result of the heavy flooding of the Swannanoa river.

Steven Cochran, a member of the National Guard, leaves headquarters in a military truck to head out into the field for the day's mission. The group is headquartered outside a Harley Davidson store that was flooded out due to the storm. The store's big parking lot lent itself perfectly to a donated supplies center and its large field was perfect for landing helicopters.