Bridger Aerospace (BAER) began with four veterans in a barn in Montana. Our next mission was to use war technology to help Americans at home.
It was risky. We had no business experience, but we had grit, our military experience, and the support of our family, friends, and fellow veterans. We certainly made mistakes—find me a small business that hasn’t. But we kept going, and the results for Montana speak for themselves.
Over the course of nine years, our experienced management team has built a business ecosystem that has created hundreds of new jobs in Montana, generated over half a billion dollars in value, constructed over $60 million worth of facilities in Montana, generated over $400 million in revenue for Montana, and provided life-saving services to America’s wildfire fighters, military combatants and communities.
And let’s not forget the dozens of successful careers created for veterans or the millions of dollars donated to charities in Montana.
The story of Bridger and Ascent Vision Technologies, the companies built by our management team of experienced individuals, is a Montana success story and one we are proud of.
Successful veteran-led businesses should be celebrated. Right? Senator Jon Tester and his allies say not.
Jon Tester believes that “the problem” is that companies create jobs. And his liberal media conspirators, led by the Washington Post and NBC News, have worked to create a false narrative to attack Bridgers’ hard-working people, tarnish the reputation of our experienced founders, and brand us a “failed company.”
For political reasons, they seek to damage the reputation and mission of our dedicated employees. The wildfire community recently lost four brave aerial firefighters in the line of duty – a dangerous job made even more difficult by the despicable attacks of Jon Tester and his allies.
While Jon Tester drove up costs to the people of Montana by voting for trillions of dollars in reckless Biden-Harris spending, we built businesses, invested in the local workforce, and created jobs in Montana.
Bridger achieved a compound annual growth rate of over 88% from 2019 through the midpoint of its 2024 forecast range. Over the last year, the company expanded its fleet worldwide, massively increased its local presence, and shared its success with its employees through generous equity incentives.
This should be celebrated, but Jon Tester is another career politician who will do anything to stay in office, even if that means attacking veterans and businesses in Montana.
Tester knows he can’t run with his poor record, so he spreads lies instead.
Tester attacks my military service because he doesn’t have any.
Tester attacks the company I founded because he never built one.
Tester attacks my character because he doesn’t know what it means to risk his life for others in the name of duty and country.
It’s disgraceful. Jon Tester and his liberal allies will support any pathetic campaign of lies to stay in power.
I am proud that my wife and I served and fought overseas to defend our freedoms.
I am proud to have created jobs in Montana.
I am proud to fly firefighting aircraft to protect our communities and public lands from wildfires.
I am proud to have founded a veteran-operated cattle ranch where we raise, fatten and process 100 percent Montana cattle.
And I am proud of what I have achieved with my experienced team, because that means I am not for sale.
There will be more lies in ads and false headlines, but the real story is this: Montana’s highest-ranking U.S. Senator is trying to destroy a veteran-owned Montana company that provides hundreds of jobs in Montana, provides financial and job security for its employees and their families, attracts investment capital to the state of Montana, and provides a vital service in fighting wildfires.
Jon Tester’s actions should concern every Montana resident.
Tim Sheehy is a former Navy SEAL team leader, was wounded in combat and twice received a valor award. He is also an interagency water bomber pilot and the founder and former CEO of Bridger Aerospace. Sheehy is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana.
