Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) helped evacuate 155 Americans, including 11 infants, from Israel amid escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. Mace coordinated with the State Department and Grey Bull Rescue, a veteran-led crisis response group, to charter a flight that landed in Greece on March 11, 2026.
Coordination with State Department and Grey Bull Rescue
Mace traveled to the Middle East on March 8 after learning a South Carolina family was trapped due to the conflict. After securing their safe return, she remained in the region to assist further evacuation efforts. The nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue managed the logistical operations, while Mace worked directly with the State Department to secure aircraft for the mission.
The group has been active in the Middle East since 2023 and has previously evacuated over 300 Americans following the October 2023 attacks. Since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, more than 43,000 Americans have left the Middle East, with the U.S. government providing direct assistance to over 27,000 individuals, a State Department spokesperson reported.
Evacuation Challenges and Previous Missions
Flight cancellations and closed airspace due to Iranian counterstrikes have complicated departures for tens of thousands of U.S. citizens. Grey Bull Rescue also recently assisted Americans escaping cartel violence in Mexico and facilitated the extraction of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in 2025.
Mace described the experience as a solemn responsibility, stating, “When your people are stranded in a war zone, the only answer worthy of the office… is to get them out.” Some Americans in the region have criticized the State Department for unclear communication and insufficient evacuation guidance amid the conflict.
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