Going above ... and beyond: Alaska's cargo companies find innovative ways to serve rural communities.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa

Though there are many advantages to living in rural Alaska, choosing to reside in such out-of-the-way places also creates unique challenges for residents of the state's smaller Bush communities. Finding ways to haul goods in and out of remote villages can be a logistical nightmare requiring the use of barges, tugs and planes, as well as a commitment by transportation companies to travel far off the beaten path.

A number of companies, including ACE Air Cargo, Everts Air Cargo, Bowhead Transport Co. LLC, and the Lynden family of companies have made this commitment to serving rural communities from Emmonak to Unalakleet, Kotzebue to Kaktovik. To this end, they not only transport the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter and clothing, but also such unique cargo as herds of reindeer and sickly seal pups.

"Rural communities depend on us to get goods to them--we are their connection to the outside," said Everts Air Cargo Station Manager Susan Hoshaw.

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Whether transporting mail, durable goods or even injured animals, Everts Air Cargo goes above and beyond to meet customers' needs. "If we can fit it through the door of the aircraft, we'll generally transport it," said Hoshaw. "We're very creative, and we don't give up easily. As one of our account executives once said, 'we move anything from goats to boats.'" Past trips have included transporting herds of reindeer, a spotted seal and a bear cub, along with the usual types of cargo like mail, vehicles and perishable goods.

The Alaska-based, family owned airline got its start in the early 1980s when Cliff Everts established Everts Air Fuel after working for Wien Airlines for 35 years. Everts' son, Robert, worked at Everts Air Fuel for 17 years before purchasing Tatonduk Outfitters Ltd. in 1993. He then established Everts Air Cargo in 1995, and the company, which now employs 250 people in Anchorage and Fairbanks, has steadily grown.

"Ask Robert Everts what the secret is to the company's consistent growth, and he'll tell you it's all about support, from the introduction to aviation provided by his father to the dedication of the aviators, maintenance, leadership and service staff that operate the airline," said Hoshaw. "They all provide exceptional service, and our customers really appreciate that."

Everts' fleet of DC-6 and C-46 aircraft is ideally suited to Alaska conditions, including the shorter, gravel runways found in many communities. Within the past year, the company has...