Milwaukee VA nurse stranded in Israel after flight cancellations amid widening regional missile attacks

Milwaukee nurse caught abroad as air travel disruptions follow renewed Middle East strikes

A Milwaukee-based nurse working at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Milwaukee health system has been unable to return to the United States after a surge in regional hostilities triggered flight cancellations and shifting airspace conditions in Israel.

The nurse, Heather Berken, traveled to Israel in late February 2026 for personal reasons, including participation in the Tel Aviv-area half marathon and visits with friends and family. In interviews published March 2, she said she was staying in Bat Yam, a coastal city south of Tel Aviv, where air-raid sirens and mobile alerts repeatedly prompted residents to move in and out of shelters.

What Berken describes on the ground

Berken said the situation changed rapidly over the weekend when sirens sounded and she observed what she believed were missile interceptions in the night sky. She described frequent alerts—at times roughly hourly—followed by periods of reduced but still recurring warnings. Her account aligns with a pattern typical of Israel’s civil-defense system during periods of missile fire, which relies on sirens, smartphone notifications and designated protected spaces.

In addition to sheltering, Berken said she was monitoring conditions day by day to determine when travel might resume. A return flight she expected to take back to work in Milwaukee was canceled, leaving her to consider alternative one-way options as airlines adjust schedules.

Travel uncertainty and the risks of sudden escalation

Commercial aviation disruptions can expand quickly during regional escalation, affecting not only departures from Tel Aviv’s main international airport but also connections through nearby hubs. Even when airports remain open, carriers may suspend service due to security risk assessments, crew availability, insurance constraints, or changes in permitted flight corridors.

• Flights can be canceled with limited notice, particularly when missile activity increases.
• Rebooking options may narrow to one-way travel or indirect routings as carriers manage capacity.
• Travelers may need to coordinate with airlines, employers and consular services when airspace restrictions fluctuate.

Local ties to earlier volunteer efforts

Berken is not new to Israel during periods of conflict. She previously traveled to the country after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, when she took part in volunteer and aid-related efforts. Public federal workplace recognition records also identify her as an emergency department nurse within the Milwaukee VA system.

Berken said her immediate focus is safety, while she evaluates when and how it will be possible to leave amid ongoing alerts and canceled flights.

Why this matters for Milwaukee

The situation underscores how quickly global events can affect Milwaukee-area residents—particularly health professionals whose work schedules and staffing needs are tightly managed. For employers, sudden international disruptions can create immediate operational gaps. For travelers, the episode illustrates the practical challenges of returning home when security conditions change faster than airline schedules can be stabilized.

As of March 3, 2026, Berken remained in Israel and said she was continuing to plan her return based on evolving conditions.