Earlier this month on a Tuesday night, Bryan Stern found himself steering a small boat through the treacherous waters off the coast of Venezuela, where the waves soared to 10 feet. Accompanying him was María Corina Machado, the renowned Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has recently become a target for intelligence agencies not only from Venezuela but also from countries such as Cuba, Russia, Iran, and China. Stern, the founder of the Tampa-based rescue organization Grey Bull, was on a mission to extract her from the impending danger.
Stern, a combat veteran with a background in special operations from the U.S. Army and Navy, personally took on the challenging role of guiding the extraction because Grey Bull functions on a principle where its leaders join the field operations. “And I am really, really invested in not getting blown up,” Stern stated during an exclusive interview.
After an arduous 13-hour journey on the volatile seas, Machado was safely in Norway, marking not only a successful escape but also Grey Bull’s 800th mission since its inception. Grey Bull Rescue, founded during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, has become a notable nonprofit that draws from a volunteer base of over 80 former special operations and intelligence veterans. Uniquely structured, the organization does not pay salaries or accept government funds, operating solely on donations and a commitment to buy one-way tickets for their missions.
Stern emphasized their steadfast approach: “We don’t come home until they come home.” This philosophy drives the team to remain in perilous scenarios until they can ensure the safe return of those they’ve set out to rescue.
Since its founding, Grey Bull has successfully completed rescues for approximately 8,400 individuals across more than 40 countries, tackling challenges ranging from hostage situations in Gaza to providing emergency support during natural disasters. Their diverse operations have included significant rescues like that of American missionary Terry Gately, who was tortured by Russian captors in Ukraine, and Detroit farmer Kirill Alexandrov, who endured severe mistreatment during his detention in Russia.
Stern offered insights into the financial struggles faced by Grey Bull, which operates solely on private donations, stating, “We have cases right now that we can do… that we cannot afford.” As part of a unique space in the rescue ecosystem, Grey Bull fills critical gaps left by traditional governmental and insurance-based support systems.
Their operations often come as a last resort for families who have already encountered bureaucratic delays or disinterest in their desperate circumstances. “We’re the last resort,” Stern explained. “We’re never the first phone call.”
Despite the multitude of challenges, Grey Bull’s members continue their work with a sense of patriotic duty, defined not by their backgrounds or political affiliations but by their collective commitment to saving lives.
Stern reflected on the human connections formed during these missions, revealing that during his time with Machado at sea, their conversations revolved around family, highlighting the deeply personal motivation behind the often perilous rescues. “She hadn’t seen her kids in two years,” he shared, illustrating the significant human impact of their operations.
Through dangerous and high-stakes extractions, Grey Bull emerges as a beacon of hope for those in dire need, embodying resilience and a commitment to humanity in the face of adversity. While challenges persist, the determination of Stern and his team signifies that help can still be rendered when it’s most critical.