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Around 1:30 p.m. on May 5, local fire, police and EMS crews gathered outside of First Flight Airstrip to honor the life of Chief Pilot Chad Jones. Jones passed away on April 25 at age 42.

Jones was a graduate of Manteo High School and started his career as an EMT. He earned his pilot’s license, worked as a flight paramedic and served Dare county as an EMS helicopter pilot.

Jones was promoted to Chief Pilot and Director of Operations for Dare MedFlight later on.

Tuesday afternoon Jones’ son Caleb accompanied his fathers remains while MedFlight landed at First Flight Airstrip. First responders, friends and family members of Jones lined Colington Rd. as a final radio call  for Jones was made.

Following the call, the crowd watched as a small procession made its way from the airport down to US 158 and over to the MedFlight hangar. MedFlight accompanied the procession from above.

Due to COVID-19 and mass gathering restrictions, the Jones family chose to delay a funeral service. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

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