Nonprofit CEO, combat vet. Expert in rescue ops and crisis zones. Over 7,000 lives saved worldwide.
Tampa, FL.
Joined May 2024
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Today I had the privilege and honor of keynoting the 30th Annual Utah Sheriffs Association Conference.
I do these things all over the world, and they’re all great. But for some reason, this one felt different.
We’ve been trying to make this happen with the @UTSheriffs Association for almost two years. Deployments, conflicts, missions…
something always got in the way.
Today, we finally got there.
Nearly 700 people. Law enforcement leaders from across the state of Utah who are on the frontlines of some of the hardest issues of our time — from human trafficking to terrorism.
My good friend James Chipp was an incredible host and walked us through every step of the event. Having our own @greybullrescue event coming up on October 16, I know all too well what goes into putting something of this size together. It takes a team.
I also got some real quality time with Mr. Scott Burns, a legend in the Utah law enforcement community, and one-on-one time with my new friend, Utah Attorney General Derek Brown.
Utah has some serious people protecting it.
I’ll admit, walking into a room full of cowboy hats, boots and cocked-and-locked .45s was a little intimidating.
True Western law.
Not a lot of vegans in this crowd. And a whole lotta dip.
But what impressed me most were the questions, the engagement and the people behind the badges.
On behalf of Grey Bull Rescue, thank you for honoring us and giving us the opportunity to share how we operate, why we do what we do, and what SPEED OF NEED looks like when lives are on the line.
And Grey Bull isn’t done here.
Tomorrow’s keynote is our own Kirillo Alexandrov, who will tell his story of being held captive by Russian intelligence, and how our team got him back from under their noses.
Thank you again to James Chipp, the entire Utah Sheriffs Association staff, every sheriff and law enforcement leader who showed up, and everyone who helped make this conference happen.
Welcome home Kevin Rideout. Another great day for America and Americans!
We’ve been following his case with great interest since he was kidnapped over 9 months ago.
@greybullrescue knows all too well how hard these cases are for the families and also the dozens of brave men and women in the intelligence community, Diplomatic Corps, SOF & Law Enforcement communities.
These cases do not happen in a vacuum and require collaboration from likely, and often unlikely, relationships in order to be successful and have successful resolution.
Grey Bull Rescue has done operations in Africa, we have rescued Americans from captivity, including missionaries in captivity, like Terry Gately (Operation: RIO GRANDE), amongst many others.
Having the talent, skill, technical competency, and effective global network are skill sets that few possess. The success of this mission puts these specialized skills on full display.
Great job to all those involved many of whom remain in the shadows.
So many worked so hard and sacrificed so much to bring this one American home from captivity to his family. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
@marcorubio
@StateSPEHA
@USSOCAF
@USAfricaCommand
@StateDept
@USSOCOM
@aboehler
@WhiteHouse
@DeptofWar
@PeteHegseth
@dojphofficial
@FBI
@Kash_Patel
@NewYorkFBI
@simintl
Bryan Stern retweeted
Fascinating conversation with @TheBryanStern about the potential extraction of the Iranian regime’s uranium
Bryan Stern retweeted
Retired US Special Operations and Intelligence Officer Bryan Stern explains how unclear US objectives in Iran make it difficult to assess whether military goals have been achieved.
#IranWar #US #Trump @TheBryanStern
Bryan Stern retweeted
This is what your support looks like.
Families reunited. Children protected. Americans brought home at SPEED OF NEED.
Yesterday, two American families — four parents and four children — stood in active cartel territory. Today, they’re safely home.
This photo was taken moments after our team completed a coordinated ground operation involving secure convoy movement, layered protection, and real-time intel to rescue these trapped families.
Every secure movement from point A to wheels up, funded by donors who refuse to be spectators.
We are still conducting operations, including a high-risk mission deeper into cartel-controlled regions today.
If you believe Americans should never be left behind, stand with us.
DONATE: greybullrescue.org/donate
THANK YOU to our mission partner: HeliSolve
Bryan Stern retweeted
As of last night, 803: Mission Complete. Grey Bull Rescue remains on the ground and is still in the process of rescue. Standby.
When Americans were trapped amid cartel retaliation and widespread violence in Mexico, Grey Bull Rescue moved toward the danger — not away from it.
As reported by the @nypost , our veteran-led teams launched a complex evacuation operation in a rapidly deteriorating environment marked by roadblocks, airport shutdowns, and coordinated violence across multiple states.
🔗 Read more: nypost.com/2026/02/24/world-…
While some advised Americans to shelter in place, our teams began building routes, gathering real-time intel, and preparing extraction plans.
Because no American should be left behind in a crisis.
Cartels shut down highways.
Air travel halted.
Communities locked down.
Our mission did not change: Bring Americans home safely.
We are veterans.
We are operators.
And when Americans are in danger, we answer the call — at the Speed of Need.
🇺🇸 Never Leave Americans Behind.
Thank you to the donors who have helped support this mission so far. To be a part of the mission, support us here: greybullrescue.org/
Thank you to our aviation partners at HeliSolve.
#GreyBullRescue #Mission803 #NeverLeaveAmericansBehind #AtTheSpeedOfNeed #Veterans #Rescue #Mexico @TheBryanStern
Honoring the brave Ukrainians who served alongside with us four years ago, and offer our thoughts and prayers to the families who lost men, women, children, and their homes to this brutal war of choice — particularly, to those men and women who have died by the thousands on the frontlines, defending their home.
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
Four years ago today, Russia launched a war against Ukraine setting in a motion a brutal chain of events. The U.S. Embassy had already withdrawn, leaving Americans stuck without hope.
Bryan Stern and the team were already in Ukraine, ahead of the war, and led the first evacuation of Americans within minutes of missiles landing.
Hundreds of evacuations followed, with persistent boots-on-ground presence from our team. As Russian forces advanced, we conducted high-risk missions to extract babies, hostages, vulnerable civilians, and Americans being hunted, detained, and tortured.
We carried out MEDEVACs, saved premature infants on life support, and brought our people home.
Today, nothing has changed. The war in Ukraine rages on while our team sets conditions in war zones all over the world today.
Grey Bull Rescue is currently forward deployed in Mexico evacuating Americans, on the ground setting conditions and using any and all means necessary to save American lives at the SPEED OF NEED.
Ukraine demonstrated our operational reality of rescuing Americans from the most dangerous conflict zones. It all started four years ago today. We were there then. We are always where we need to be now. For Americans.
This was only possible from the support of our donors. We can not save American lives without your help.
🇺🇸 DONATE to support our mission
greybullrescue.org/donate
👉 If you are an American currently in Mexico and you or someone you know needs assistance, request help and register immediately:
greybullrescue.org/request-h…
Bryan Stern retweeted
🔴 MADURO CAPTURED! 🔴
Just a few weeks ago, Grey Bull Rescue conducted the daring extraction of María Corina Machado, the rightful leader of Venezuela, under the cover of night while being hunted by the brutal Maduro regime.
Last night, America’s most elite men and women from the Special Operations community…where our team hails from…conducted a surgical and beautifully executed large scale operation to bring Maduro (and his wife) to justice. We could not be prouder to be Americans right now.
U.S. SOF, like Grey Bull, conducted an operation leaving all the bad guys scratching their heads.
Earlier this week the Maduro regime unlawfully detained 5 American Citizens (which we predicted). We asked for Proof of Life which Maduro denied. Yet, this morning…the Maduro regime is asking America for Proof of Life of Maduro. My how the tables have turned.
Grey Bull has been operating in Latin America and the Caribbean for months. Grey Bull Rescue’s infrastructure, team, and talent are second to none as evidenced by this morning’s major success.
Many questions remain about the future. Certainly, the situation remains dangerous especially for Americans.
Our planes, helicopters, and boats are ready.
If you are American and need evacuation, Grey Bull will come for you.
👉greybullrescue.org/request-h…
If you love America and Americans as much as we do, JOIN THE FIGHT. DONATE👉 greybullrescue.org/donate
We have been planning and conducting operations in Venezuela and the region for months.
In Venezuela, we are on the ground, on the seas, and in the air…as we have been. If you are in trouble, WE WILL COME FOR YOU.
Our hats are off to the amazing men and women of the U.S. Intelligence Community, Special Operations Community, and Law Enforcement Community who made us all proud to be Americans this day, brought a bad guy to justice, delivered a loud strategic communication to the world, and humiliated the enemy.
@StateDept @DeptofWar @USASOCNews @AFSpecOpsCmd @WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @marcorubio @SecWar @PamBondi @USSOCOM @MariaCorinaYA
Bryan Stern retweeted
🔴LIVE TONIGHT!
Grey Bull Rescue founder Bryan Stern joins @NewsNation Live tonight at 8:00 PM EST to discuss U.S.–Venezuela relations and developments on the ground.
Real-time insight. Don’t miss it, make sure to tune in!
@TheBryanStern
@NewsNationTV
It was awesome to spend some time with a great military mind and strategist (and my old bosses, bosses, boss), General David Petraeus.
As a young Task Force commander in Afghanistan in 2011, General Petraeus was the commander of ISAF. He subsequently became Director CIA after he retired.
Last night @AUSAorg hosted him in Tampa for a book signing where members of the @greybullrescue team had the pleasure of spending time with the General.
Our very own Will Smith from Will Smith Aviation had the honor of flying him out.
General Petraeus wrote the book, literally, on counterinsurgency and led US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, during arguably the most pivotal times in both wars. Central to his thesis is the effective use of host nation and indigenous forces.
Today at Grey Bull Rescue, we live and die by our partnerships and relationships, taking a page out of the doctrine established by General Petraeus.
General Petraeus is looking well as he always has and in a battle of verbal judo — he always wins.
Thank you, GEN Petraeus for an incredible evening.
Bryan Stern retweeted
Ayer pude conversar telefónicamente con Hamidreza, hermano de la premio Nobel secuestrada por el régimen iraní, Narges Mohammadi (@nargesfnd) y manifestarle todo nuestro respaldo en estas horas tan difíciles y oscuras.
A Narges la mantienen aislada en un centro de detención de Mashhad y no le han permitido ni una llamada telefónica con sus familiares y abogados.
Antes, ella ya había pasado 10 años de su vida tras las rejas y ahora nadie sabe por cuánto tiempo más puedan tenerla en prisión.
Además, como madre enfrenta uno de los peores castigos: no poder abrazar a sus hijos desde 2015 por la prohibición de salida del país.
Hoy, viendo su foto en la exhibición del Centro Nobel de la Paz, no dejo de pensar en la crueldad de regímenes como el de Irán y el de Venezuela, capaces de hacer lo que sea para mantenerse en el poder y callar las voces que desnudan la verdad, pero nuestro mensaje es indetenible, así como este movimiento por la paz y la libertad que el mundo entero conoce.
En la medida en que nos juntamos y defendemos estos valores, somos aún más fuertes. Libertad inmediata para Narges, para Irán y para Venezuela.
Bryan Stern retweeted
We’re a life-saving organization. Not a life-taking organization. We are a rescue team, not assassins.
Bryan Stern retweeted
Epic 11 min!
The daring escape - Venezuela to Oslo..
@TheBryanStern @greybullrescue reveals the details of the risky, undercover, transcontinental journey with Nobel winner freedom fighter Maria Corina Machado
“This Week in South Florida” @WPLGLocal10
local10.com/this-week-in-sou…
This was never about attention or headlines.
As @sofrepofficial noted, this wasn’t a “Hollywood rescue” and it wasn’t government-funded. It was a privately funded mission executed by professionals who can move when official channels stall — quickly, quietly, and with purpose.
@greybullrescue exists for moments like this. The goal was simple: Saving an ally at the speed of need.
Read the full SOFREP article here: sofrep.com/news/sofrep-daily…
Bryan Stern retweeted
In case you missed it: @TheBryanStern sat down with @kilmeade to share more details on OPERATION: GOLDEN DYNAMITE.
Watch here: foxnews.com/video/6386403198…
Bryan Stern retweeted
We’re overwhelmed by the support over the last few days. Thank you for standing with our team and our mission.
🙌 Don’t be a spectator. Donate & fuel our next mission: greybullrescue.org/pledge-yo…
🎁 Buy a shirt. Save a life: greybullrescue.org/store/
#greybullrescue #speedofneed #nonprofit
Bryan Stern retweeted
Cold, dark seas. No complaints. @NPR shares @TheBryanStern’s perspective on @MariaCorinaYA’s escape — and the grit it took to make it happen.
👉Read more: npr.org/2025/12/12/nx-s1-564…
Some missions punch harder than others — and this one hit deep. Extracting María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) from Venezuela was one of the most complex, high-stakes operations I’ve ever been part of — and also one of the most meaningful.
Getting María home to her children after two long years was the only outcome that mattered — and I’m so grateful we made that happen. We tried to get her back in time for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, but I guess I lived up to my reputation… always running a little late.
We wanted to make sure she was safe and that security and safety were preserved.
Timing aside, she is exactly where she belongs: safe from the Maduro regime, free of oppression and worse, and with her family. For the first time in two years, with a beautiful @NobelPrize as a symbol of her resolve.
What struck me most wasn’t just the danger or complexity of the mission — although very dangerous — but it was María herself. She’s a mother, a fighter, and a relentless defender of freedom and democracy. Watching her courage, grace, and unwavering resolve throughout this journey reminded me why we do what we do. What we as veterans fight for. She has been an inspirational hero of mine for many years and her fight resonates deeply with everything Grey Bull Rescue stands for.
This mission tested our team in ways few will ever fully understand. I am endlessly grateful to the team at @greybullrescue — their skill, courage, tenacity, audacity, and commitment made it possible to succeed under conditions most people can’t imagine.
María, it was my honor to stand beside you… even though cold and wet. You are my hero!
@realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse @GovRonDeSantis @marcorubio @JayCollinsFL @LindseyGrahamSC @SenMullin @RepMariaSalazar @RepCarlos @CBSNews
Bryan Stern retweeted
Grey Bull Rescue has successfully completed its 800th mission — Operation: GOLDEN DYNAMITE — the extraction of @NobelPrize laureate María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) from deep in Venezuela.
This was our most high threat and high stakes mission we have ever done. It was also one of our most meaningful. The operation spanned nearly 16 hours across land and sea and demanded precision and expertise at every step.
OPERATION: GOLDEN DYNAMITE tested our team in new ways. Maria is a household name, #1 threat to the Maduro regime, and was being actively pursued by the Venezuelan and other security services. The maritime domain is the most dangerous operating environment paired with her profile and the high counterintelligence threat…this was a mission impossible.
As @TheBryanStern, founder of Grey Bull Rescue, said: “No one’s blood pressure was low… It was dangerous. It was scary. The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on.”
But the most important part wasn’t the planning or the risks — it was seeing María reunited with her family. Bryan reflected: “She’s a tough-as-nails, hard-as-woodpecker-lips woman… but she’s still a mom. Seeing her with her children was a moment I’ll never forget. She truly is a hero of mine.”
This mission reminded us why we do what we do: protecting those who fight for freedom, standing up when it matters most, sacrificing it all forget people, and rescuing extraordinary people like María safely to those they love.
@GovRonDeSantis @realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse @marcorubio @JayCollinsFL @LindseyGrahamSC @SenMullin @RepMariaSalazar @RepCarlos @CBSNews
Stand with the team that shows up when others can’t. Support our next mission: .greybullrescue.org/pledge-yo…
Read the full @CBS News report here: cbsnews.com/news/secret-miss…