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Ground Zero Operations

@groundzerooperations

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Counter-Trafficking | SAR
Real people. Real missions. Real impact.
Challenging the status quo.
501(c)(3)

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Ground Zero Operations suffered a terrible loss Friday August 28th 2026.

Thomas Gentile was a founding board member of GZO, a leader in the field, and more importantly a brother and dear friend to many of us.

During his time with our team, Thomas played a direct role in 45 recoveries from human trafficking and served as a Team Leader on multiple Search & Rescue operations. When people needed help, Thomas answered the call.

He constantly pushed himself and our team to become better. He served with humility, courage, and an unwavering willingness to step into difficult places for people who needed someone to fight for them.

But his accomplishments only tell part of his story.

Thomas was a husband, father, friend, brother, and man of God. His absence leaves a hole in our organization and in our lives that simply cannot be filled.

The mission continues, and we will carry forward the lessons, standards, and example he left behind.

45 recoveries. Countless lives impacted. A founding member. A leader. A servant. A brother.

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
- Proverbs 18:24

Until we meet again.
We love you, Thomas. Fly safe. by @groundzerooperations

The problem is few will share. Few will understand how deep the enemy goes. Few will talk to their friends and family about the problem. No good can come from keeping silent. by @groundzerooperations

None of us get out of here alive. Just a reminder. by @groundzerooperations

The numbers are staggering.
There's a lot of work to be done and few to do it.
Learn more about what we do.
Link in our bio.

Matthew 9:37-38
[37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” by @groundzerooperations

God will give you your purpose.
Only His voice will guide you.
His plans He has for you will be greater than anything.
Listen to Him. by @groundzerooperations

Get in loser, we have evil to take down.

Psalms 37:38
[38] But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

#groundzerooperations #countertrafficking by @groundzerooperations

Move with intention.

It takes a LOT of effort behind the scenes to put on a successful operation. Most people wouldn't ever realize how much work lingers prior to a recovery or extraction.

With that comes a lot of sacrifice. Time, money, resources that we will never get back.

There's nothing we'd rather do though.

If God gives you a talent, you have an obligation to Him to steward it and invest it for more. Dont be a "lazy and slothful" servant to the Lord.

#groundzerooperations #countertrafficking #recovery by @groundzerooperations

Two years back to back, but two very different outcomes.

First year we saw amazing destruction. A 1000 year flood they said... then we had two back to back.

The difference?
2025, was a lot of death.
2026, that number was almost none. But it wasnt. With 2 confirmed fatalities, it wasnt anything like the 2025 flood, with the exception of loss of property.

2026 flood waters rose higher and took out more businesses and more livelihoods.
What a blessing it didnt take more lives with it.

Ground Zero, with the help from Lone Star Task Force deployed to render SAR, swift water rescues and help aid local fire departments, communities and state resources in helping to make sure that number was as low as possible. 5 cities, with major flooding, our team stood near to render immediate assistance when called upon.

It could have been much worse. But the right people, with the experience of last year were there immediately to help.

God's blessed our team and the communities of hill country and West Texas.

Now time to rebuild. Again.

#groundzeroops #lonestartaskforce #hillcountryfloods #floods #kerrville by @groundzerooperations

GZ team has been quiet recently.

Because we've been working.

Update: we have multiple teams operating in 5 countries around the world and domestically.

Please pray for the teams and please share what we do.

Its mostly all come out of our own pockets financially.

We've been blessed with a few donors but nothing compared to the cost of what it truly takes to recover children from the worst places on earth.

We are open to all the help we can get.
Consider donating today on our website.

#groundzerooperations #endchildexploitation #countertrafficking by @groundzerooperations

One year ago today.

For most of my life, the Fourth of July meant fireworks, cookouts, and a country celebrating the freedom we're blessed to have. It still means all of that. But now this date carries something heavier too.

Last July 4th, our team at Ground Zero Operations was on the ground in Kerrville, helping with search and rescue as the floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country.

What the Guadalupe took from those communities is hard to put into words. Lives were lost. Homes, businesses, whole stretches of towns were swept away and changed forever. Families will carry that grief for the rest of their lives — and so will those of us who were there to witness it.

The stories from neighbors on the river who woke up that morning listening to screams rush down river, knowing they had no power to help will forever haunt them.

But in the middle of all that loss, I saw something I'll never forget.

I saw a town wrap its arms around every crew working the SAR missions. Strangers showing up with food, water, prayers, and whatever they had to give. Neighbors pulling neighbors out of the mud. Hurt and heartbreak sitting right next to love and hope — hope that these cities won't just be rebuilt, but come back stronger than they were before.

There was a lot of pain out there. But there were a lot of amazing people too, working shoulder to shoulder to lift each other up. That's the Texas way. That's the American way.

To the families who lost someone — we haven't forgotten. To the communities still rebuilding — we're still with you. And to every first responder, volunteer, and neighbor who showed up when it mattered most — thank you.

With tears in our eyes today, In God we trust. 🇺🇸

Galatians 5:13
[13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

#kerrville #texasstrong #groundzerooperations by @groundzerooperations

Isaiah 6:8
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” by @groundzerooperations