In a high-risk operation in Haiti, a team of U.S. military veterans rescued an American family of Christian missionaries who were trapped in the dangerous, gang-controlled nation.
Operation Yellowtail was conducted on January 27 by Project DYNAMO, a nonprofit organization focused on international search and rescue operations. Project DYNAMO was founded in 2021 and its first mission was the rescue of American citizens that the Biden administration left behind in Afghanistan during the disastrous, botched withdrawal.
Jen Wilson from Project Dynamo explains what she and her team are doing to help evacuate people from Afghanistan#NextRevFNC pic.twitter.com/Hh9QSEXgsU
— The Next Revolution (@NextRevFNC) September 13, 2021
Despite facing “extreme danger,” Project DYNAMO rescuers successfully medically evacuated a Christian missionary family, including their infant daughter who has been suffering from health complications.
After weeks of meticulous planning, Project DYNAMO’s team of U.S. military veterans successfully executed Operation Yellowtail, a high-risk rescue of an American family from Haiti amid escalating violence and ongoing gang wars.
Full press release here:https://t.co/UfmNjl0O5h pic.twitter.com/DnE9kf6nIT
— Project Dynamo Official (@Project_Dynamo1) January 28, 2025
The family of missionaries — 24-year-old Zachary Ennis, 26-year-old Mica Ennis, and five-month of Niah Ennis — will return to their Texas home just a few days after their rescue, though they will first have to undergo medical evaluations and fill out paperwork at the U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, according to a press release from Project DYNAMO.
The couple and their child had been trapped in the mission compound located in Saint-Marc, Haiti, because of the ongoing gang violence in the country that erupted following the government’s collapse. The violence has become so prevalent in the third-world country that the missionaries were unable to safely leave the compound. Just a few days prior to their rescue, a local gang decapitated a man and placed his head outside of the property, an area that has been a frequent target for gangs because of its strategic location.
Project DYNAMO rescuers headed to Haiti from Miami, Florida, at 4:30 a.m. EST on January 27 via three aircrafts, which included a private plane and a helicopter. They were also aided by the government of the Dominican Republic. During the mission, the rescuers used a helicopter to evacuate the family, then transferred them to the private aircraft on standby in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
Mario Duarte, the CEO of Project Dynamo, issued a press release about the rescue.
“We are extremely grateful to the government of the Dominican Republic and the Directorate of National Intelligence for their support with this mission,” he wrote.
He also expressed gratitude for the support of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) during the mission.
“Additionally, we want to sincerely thank US Senator Ted Cruz and his ongoing support throughout this process,” the press release continued. “Without the help of him and his office, the mission would not have been possible. The bottom line is this: when and where no one else will go, if Americans are in harm’s way, Project DYNAMO continues to demonstrate, we will respond.”
Special thanks to Senator @tedcruz and his staff, the Government of the Dominican Republic (@PresidenciaRD), and its Directorate of National Intelligence for their vital assistance in helping us to bring this American family to safety. https://t.co/M960Cw5QIF
— Project Dynamo Official (@Project_Dynamo1) January 28, 2025
The mission was reportedly prompted by Zachary Ennis’ mother, Dianne Ennis, who begged Project DYNAMO for help. She has since issued a statement thanking the heroes who rescued her family.
“We had family, friends, and neighbors praying for a successful outcome, and with God’s help, everyone made it to safety,” she said. “My entire family is so grateful to Project DYNAMO and their team for working so hard to get our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter safely out of Haiti.”