From small begininnings
Our Story
Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS) leads the mission of medical aviation in the Philippines, delivering life-saving services to remote communities. Since its founding in 2007 by Dwayne Harris—a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot/mechanic from Montana—PAMAS has grown steadily. Initially driven by a vision to serve through aviation, Harris took action and launched a faith-based ministry that continues to expand.
From the beginning, volunteers played a crucial role. As a result, PAMAS quickly established mission bases in Palawan, North Luzon, South Luzon, and Mindanao. Each location supports a range of services, including aviation, medical care, education, and agriculture. Moreover, these programs work together to uplift underserved populations and promote long-term well-being.
In addition, PAMAS operates as a Philippine-registered nonprofit humanitarian organization. It actively serves people regardless of income, religion, or social background. Not only does this inclusive approach define its values, but it also sets PAMAS apart in the field of medical aviation in the Philippines.
Consequently, PAMAS continues to grow. Fueled by faith, driven by compassion, and guided by purpose, the organization reaches new communities—one flight, one patient, and one mission at a time.
Our Mission
PAMAS' mission is to impact remote communities with the gospel through aviation, medical, education, and agriculture services.
Core Values
Sacrificial Service
Dedication
Prayerful
Faith
Our Vision
Create disciples in every isolated people group through wholistic mission aviation
Strategies for achieving our goals
Provide Access to difficult to reach areas through aviation.
Disciple people to be Christ followers, equipped to reproduce the same mission goals and objectives in subsequent generations.
Enhance Partnerships and build mutually productive relationships with partners who share the PAMAS vision.
A look behind the scenes...
Why We Exist
PAMAS exists to demonstrate God’s love by serving people in remote and hard-to-reach areas through compassionate aviation ministry. By providing access to isolated communities, we bring hope, healing, and the gospel where it’s needed most. In addition, we focus on discipleship —training and mentoring Christ followers to carry forward our mission and multiply its impact across generations. To expand our reach, we actively build strategic partnerships with organizations that share our vision, working together to accelerate the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
PAMAS Makes headlines
FAQ
How can I volunteer with PAMAS?
The first step of our application process, is to fill out an interest form. Click Here to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!
How do the missionaries support themselves?
All PAMAS missionaries serve gladly as volunteers. They receive no salary, and their basic needs are supported through donations. They are happy to sacrifice in a small way for their Lord who gave all for them to have eternal life and a hope for the future.
How did PAMAS begin?
Dwayne Harris, a volunteer pilot/mechanic from Montana was inspired in 2007 to start a much needed aviation ministry in the Philippines. He brought a small helicopter over and began to serve the needs of the people in Palawan. A year later, he married Wendy (Guptill) Harris, a missionary nurse who was already serving in the mountains of Palawan with Adventist Frontier Missions. Land was donated and an airbase built by 2009 in Brooke’s Point, Palawan. PAMAS quickly expanded to the north in Luzon with another airbase, and eventually to the south in Mindanao as well. As God provided more aircraft and more missionaries, the services also grew to include Jungle schools, Bible work, Agricultural services and more.
Why use helicopters
The Philippines is full of mountainous terrain where many native people groups are isolated from the rest of the world. They are in need of medical help, education, and the good news of Jesus Christ. Many areas are so steep and rugged that it is impossible to land an airplane or even enter with trucks or motorcycles. There is a huge and unique need here for helicopters to help speed the spread of the gospel message to the world.
How many pilots and missionaries do you have?
We have 7 total pilots. Four are helicopter pilots (2 of those are both fixed wing and helicopter pilots). God has blessed us with more than 100 total volunteers throughout all the bases. We have around 8 foreign families or singles and the rest are local.
Helicopters are expensive. How is this funded?
We feel that God is ready, willing, and able to make our efforts for Him successful if we trust Him. PAMAS is a faith-based organization funded entirely through donations. God has faithfully provided month by month for the needs of this project as we have stepped out in faith and been willing to sacrifice for Him.
Why not just use airplanes?
Airplanes are also very useful for faster and farther travel and we currently use four of them. But airplanes are limited to established runways or flat areas where a runway could be placed. There are very few possibilities for airstrips in the mountainous areas where many of the greatest needs are for air-support
Do you need more helicopters?
We have an R66 helicopter that is currently serving in Palawan. There is a desperate need for helicopters for both Mindanao and Luzon as well. Everything is set up and ready to immediately start using them when they become available. There is also an urgent need for a helicopter in Mindoro.
