Coast Guard Aircrew Delivers Supplies from Maui to Lāna‘i

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew delivers response supplies from Maui to Lanai, March 28, 2020. The pilots transported COVID-19 supplies, including temperature reading thermometers and hand sanitation equipment, from the Maui Airport Fire Station to personnel at Lanai Airport for use by airport staff. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Berry Redmayne/Released)

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew delivered response supplies from the Maui Airport Fire Station to staff on Lānaʻi including thermometers and hand sanitation equipment for use at the island airport.

“This is another example of federal-state partnerships,” said John Manganaro, US Coast Guard Auxiliary District Staff Officer – Aviation in a press release. “Thank you to pilots Bob Emami and Barry Redmayne for handling this essential mission task. We coupled the delivery with one of our regular patrols.”

“We evaluate flights using the current risk assessment model with particular attention to the health and well-being of pilot and aircrew,” said Manganaro. “We’ve taken steps to minimize risk, and if for any reason our teams feel there’s unacceptable exposure risk to COVID-19, we’ll cancel the flight. Our pilots need to maintain their competencies and stay in practice.”

Auxiliary Flotilla 140-01-10 has 25 qualified pilots and 22 trainees. On average, the team conducts about 15 flights monthly in support of routine patrols, first light search and rescue, pollution response, and specialty flights like this delivery and past transports of injured or recovered animals and birds.

Lānaʻi is situated nine miles off Maui and is home to just over 3,000 people.  The delivery was conducted on March 28, 2020.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew (left) stands with Brian Kamimoto (right), assistant airport superintendent Maui District at the Maui Airport Fire Station while picking up response supplies for delivery from Maui to Lanai, March 28, 2020. The pilots transported COVID-19 supplies, including temperature reading thermometers and hand sanitation equipment, from the Maui Airport Fire Station to personnel at Lanai Airport for use by airport staff. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Berry Redmayne/Released)