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Pilot Can No Longer Fly but Continues Ministering to Others on the Ground
A veteran airline pilot may no longer be flying, but that won’t stop him from ministering to others on the ground.
On April 1 of 2024, Air Marshall Islands (AMI) held a surprise ceremony for Captain Albon “Al” Jelke at Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro to commemorate his final flight as chief pilot for the national airline.
Brother Jelke, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the longest-serving pilot in AMI’s history, with over 43 years of flight service. US Federal Aviation Administration regulations prevent pilots above 65 from flying commercially, a milestone Brother Jelke reached in April. He will remain with AMI as general manager, a post he’s held for over two years.
“If it wasn’t for the age regulation, our dad would continue to fly,” said his daughter Milañ Loeak.
While he is well-known for his achievements as a pilot and administrator, his numerous opportunities to minister to others through his flying career are less recognized. “I want to thank the Lord for my flying career,” Brother Jelke said. “I’m also very thankful for the times I’ve had to minister to my fellow people, especially those in the outer islands here in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.”
Brother Jelke was introduced to the gospel and baptized with his family in 2014. In 2016, he was asked to serve in the bishopric and learned the importance of reaching out to each member. “We should look to our Saviour as our example in everything we do and how we should minister to others,” he said. “What better way to prepare to meet our Saviour than to strive to become like Him through ministering to others!”
He recounted an experience where he used his flying skills to help a grieving member attend a family member’s burial on one of the outer islands by adjusting the flight routing to accommodate her. “Her family was relieved and overjoyed to see her stepping down from the aircraft.”
Brother Jelke humbly explained that he also flew Church leaders to the Marshall Islands’ outer islands to handle serious situations. Ministering to others is something he learned from his grandparents. “I was raised from humble circumstances by my grandparents and understand when one feels desperately in need,” he said.
“My parents left me with my grandparents when I was just one month old, and my grandmother would tell me stories about neighbors bringing milk and other items for me. She impressed upon me that if I were successful in life, I needed to remember the kind acts people had done for me.”
“I thank God for every blessing that He has bestowed upon my family and me,” he continued. “Most importantly I thank Him for the opportunity to be able to minister to others who are in need.”
Strong emotions were displayed by his fellow employees at the ceremony on April 1, including president of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, who honored Brother Jelke for his commitment and service. The admiration expressed by AMI employees and people on social media attests to his friendly nature and dedication.
“I’ve retired from flying but as the CEO/general manager of Air Marshall Islands, I can still fly as a passenger and minister to my people,” Brother Jelke said. “It just won’t be as frequent as when I was a pilot.”
Albon Jelke’s career with AMI started in 1981 as a flight attendant. He trained as a pilot, becoming a first officer in 1983, and was promoted many times before becoming AMI director of flight operations and chief pilot in 1997.