Author Archives: Justin Honaker

Justin HonakerMAF pilot Justin Honaker serves in Lesotho, Africa. He was born in Loma Linda California, where he lived until he joined the Marine Corps in 1997. Justin holds Private and Commercial Pilot's licenses, as well as, Flight Instructor Certification. He is a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic and has experience as a helicopter mechanic. He and his wife, Amanda, met at MAF Headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, when Justin was in flight training and Amanda was working in the mailroom.

The Fittest Team

A team from MAF Lesotho recently participated in the Lesotho Sky Corporate Challenge, a promotional event for the Lesotho Sky Foundation, which donates bikes to those in need. Sixty teams vied for the title of “Fittest Corporation in Lesotho.” Each rider was designated to ride one leg of the relay race. The same bike and […]

Just in Time

We hadn’t flown in almost a week. The entire country of Lesotho was hit with a powerful snow storm that left most of our airstrips covered in deep snow, making landing (with wheels anyway!) impossible. Except for Manamaneng. Pamela, one of the nurses there, wanted to get out of the mountains and home to […]

Medevac Miracle Returning Home

I can see the look of wonder in Nteboheleng’s eyes. She is gazing over her country, a view she has never before seen in her 16 years. From our vantage point of 11,500 feet, I point out different places she might know. Each one brings a smile and sometimes a giggle in excitement. She has […]

God’s Perfect Timing

MAF pilot Justin Honaker retells the events of one particular afternoon and a flight where timing was everything.

2:45 p.m. I’m the only MAF pilot flying in Lesotho today, Friday, June 1. My passenger is not here yet, even though he insisted we make a special trip for him. I’m annoyed, but with the schedule otherwise […]

Starving for Fuel, Saving a Life

“The weather is still quite good here and I’d like to pick up the patient,” I relay my intensions to home base, nearly 60 miles away in much poorer weather. “Send fuel when the weather clears,” I add, not being thrilled at the thought of spending the night away from home, but willing if it […]

Witnessing a Happy Ending

When MAF pilots make medical evacuation flights they don’t always get to see the happy endings. But when they do, it’s a satisfying flight.

MAF pilot Justin Honaker was closing the rear cargo door before embarking on his first flight of the day to the village of Methaleneng in Lesotho, Africa, when a vaguely familiar face […]