Tampa Nonprofit Rescues Americans Stranded in Middle East Amid Iran Strikes

Grey Bull Rescue helps evacuate dozens as U.S. struggles to get citizens home from war zones

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A Tampa-based nonprofit organization called Grey Bull Rescue is working to evacuate American citizens who are stuck in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. With embassies under attack and airspaces closed, the U.S. government has struggled to facilitate safe passage home for the estimated 1,500 Americans requesting assistance. Grey Bull Rescue has already helped evacuate 66 Americans from Israel, using buses to transport them across the border to safety.

Why it matters

The escalating tensions and military strikes in the Middle East have left many American citizens stranded and at risk, highlighting the challenges the U.S. government faces in providing emergency evacuation support. The efforts of Grey Bull Rescue demonstrate the vital role nonprofits can play in filling gaps when government resources are strained during international crises.

The details

Grey Bull Rescue, a Tampa-based nonprofit organization, has launched a rescue mission to help evacuate American citizens trapped in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. With embassies under attack and airspaces closed, the U.S. government has struggled to facilitate safe passage home for the estimated 1,500 Americans requesting assistance to leave the region. Grey Bull Rescue has already helped evacuate 66 Americans from Israel, using buses to transport them across the border to safety.

  • The conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran began five days ago.
  • Grey Bull Rescue has been actively working to evacuate Americans since the start of the conflict.

The players

Grey Bull Rescue

A Tampa-based nonprofit organization that has launched a rescue mission to evacuate American citizens trapped in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State, who has outlined the challenges the Trump administration is facing in evacuating American civilians from the region.

Kristy Ellmer

An American citizen who has been trying to return home to New Hampshire since the start of the conflict, but has been unsuccessful so far.

Alyssa Ramos

A travel blogger who was in Kuwait City when the 'depart now' alert was issued, and decided to try to leave the country on her own, chronicling her journey on Instagram.

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What they’re saying

“We're gonna go across the border, make our way to Jerusalem, post up there and start setting conditions to start doing buses and moving people out.”

— A man representing Grey Bull Rescue (wsvn.com)

“Nine thousand Americans have been able to leave the region since the start of this war. We have about 1,500 Americans that are requesting assistance with departure.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (wsvn.com)

“We had a very long night, a lot of explosions.”

— Kristy Ellmer (wsvn.com)

“We have seen the government's post today telling all Americans to evacuate on their own. I can hear the missiles overhead already.”

— Alyssa Ramos, Travel Blogger (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The U.S. government is working to identify and secure additional charter flights, military flight options, and commercial flight options to expand the capacity for evacuating American citizens from the Middle East.

The takeaway

The efforts of the Tampa-based nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue highlight the vital role that private organizations can play in supporting the U.S. government's emergency response efforts when resources are strained during international crises. Their work to evacuate dozens of stranded Americans demonstrates the importance of having multiple channels available to assist citizens in need of safe passage from war-torn regions.