Historic WWII plane Miss Montana heads to Bahamas

MISSOULA, Mont. — Volunteers from Montana are packing up for another trip on the historic Miss Montana, a historic WWII plane.

They are going to the Bahamas, where they hope to help those devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

“We were looking for what’s next with this airplane,” Co-Pilot Eric Komberec said. “We've got all these amazing volunteers, we've got this great group of supporters, and fan club not only from Montana but all over the United States and all over the world.”

Miss Montana volunteers will fly 40,000 meals per day to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.

“To work to help others what a great calling it is,” Eric Komberec said. “The airplane it made for it. It’s the perfect airplane for it.”

The group plans to be there for two weeks, but another storm headed to the island could stretch the trip to more than six weeks.

Museum of Mountain Flying is collecting a wide range of donations.

Thanks to about $5,000 dollars in donations through GoFundMe volunteers are filling up backpacks with supplies to survive to give out in the Bahamas, including everything from toothbrushes to ramen.

“People are moving from shelter to shelter and school to school or wherever they can sleep, and it gives them something to be able to put their stuff in to take,” volunteer Tia Komberec said.

It wouldn't be possible without funding through the museum.

“We're going to cover all expenses and the fuel and everything and the museum decided that it was in our mission and we are going to dedicate this to the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Air Lift,” Eric Komberec said.

Once Miss Montana arrives volunteers will partner with a group experienced in relief efforts so they can deliver their donations to victims as efficiently as possible.