Press Release - Blue Lightning Initiative MOU 07-31-2023

F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

July 31, 2023

FREEDOM AVIATION NETWORK JOINS BLUE LIGHTNING INITIATIVE

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Transportation have invited the Nashville-based non-profit, Freedom Aviation Network, to become a partner with the Blue Lightning Initiative.

The Blue Lightning Initiative is a joint effort led by DHS, DOT, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to combat human trafficking.  The “FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016” created the Blue Lightning Initiative which provides ongoing training for equipping aviation personnel to recognize and respond to potential human trafficking victims.

Freedom Aviation Network uses volunteer pilots to provide transportation to survivors of human trafficking and their advocates.  There are many organizations, both private and governmental, that are working to combat human trafficking, but a common problem they all face is the transport of survivors. The Polaris Project’s (National Human Trafficking Hotline) survivor survey says 54 percent of human trafficking survivors noted that access to transportation was a barrier to leaving their situation.[1]  Often, the survivor is at significant risk of being re-exploited by their captors if they remain in the same area. Freedom Aviation Network seeks to bridge that gap by providing survivors with safe transportation out of their area of danger.

“Becoming a partner in the Blue Lightning Initiative is a significant step for Freedom Aviation Network, as it gives us access to important training tools for our pilots and the aviation community,” said Jared Miller, Executive Director of Freedom Aviation Network.

“As a volunteer FAN pilot, I have to think about more than the mechanics of the flight. I must consider that for the survivor I meet. I may be the first safe man they may have encountered in a very long time.  It’s hard for me to even imagine the circumstances they are leaving, so having access to a training program that can help prepare me is critical,” said Trey Rochford, a volunteer FAN pilot and Board Member.

“In only our tenth month of operations, Freedom Aviation Network has now officially onboarded 100 pilots in over 31 states. We are incredibly grateful to the aviation community for rallying around this important mission, and we are excited to become a partner Blue Lightning Initiative,” said Stephanie Lamar, Co-Founder and FAN Operations Officer.

With Freedom Aviation Network, general aviation pilots donate their time and aircraft to provide that safe and efficient method of transportation the survivors need. FAN will post a need and their roster of volunteer pilots can sign up to fly that mission. FAN then coordinates to have the survivor and an advocate meet the pilot at a local airport to initiate the rescue flight.

A recent survivor said, “Being able to receive a blessing from those who God blessed to bless me is amazing. I am so grateful for the opportunity FAN gave me to reunite with my family and make amends before my father passed away. I will never forget the gratefulness I felt for that.”

Freedom Aviation Network will soon invite all of the onboarded pilots to participate in the BLI training which they are now able to facilitate. The plan is to open the training up first to the onboarded pilots, then go into General Aviation institutions to train people on knowing what human trafficking is, how to identify potential victims, and how to respond appropriately. If you are an aviation leader and would like to request a training by FAN, please email us at info@freedomaviationnetwork.org.

Freedom Aviation Network has a continuing need for volunteer pilots and the funds to help the program keep up with the expanding need. From pilots to individual or corporate sponsors to administrative volunteers, FAN needs your help.  You can sign up and be part of the rescue at freedomaviationnetwork.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT  Trey Rochford at (615) 330-6802 or TRochford@RochfordCompany.com.

[1] https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/A-Roadmap-for-Systems-and-Industries-to-Prevent-and-Disrupt-Human-Trafficking-Transportation-Industry.pdf, page 32