Oregon RAF Ambassador Kevin Johnson and his son, RAF Supporter Eric Johnson erected a firewood shed to protect a cord of firewood (donated by Brandon Marr) from the coastal rains. The crew removed debris from a recently felled tree, trimmed underbrush, and hauled refuse to the waste transfer station. The ground was leveled for tent site, fire ring, and picnic table locations, and tree limbs were put through a chipper to create wood chips for mud mitigation. The new metal fire rings and picnic tables were secured with cement anchors and heavy-duty chains. Gravel was placed underneath the fire rings and in the higher traffic areas. Herbicide was applied to the invasive blackberry, Scotch broom, and English ivy plants in the camping areas.
CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED AT SILETZ BAY
Thanks to an RAF grant awarded to Oregon Ambassador Sarah Brown and Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes, volunteers have completed improvements at Siletz Bay State Airport (S45) on the Oregon coast. Twenty-seven volunteers led by Brown met on April 17 to clean up the camping sites and replace the rusted fire rings and collapsed wooden picnic tables. The project was conducted in partnership with the Oregon Department of Aviation.
“Two days had been set aside for this project, but the abundance of capable, enthusiastic volunteers led to all tasks being completed by late afternoon of day one," Brown said. "At least twelve participants were volunteering for their first time with the RAF. Eight of the volunteers flew their own airplanes to Siletz Bay to help, and were treated to the sight of migratory whales just offshore.”
About 20 volunteers stayed to test out the fire rings, picnic tables, and new tent sites. RAF supporter Jon Gehrig cooked beef, salmon, and veggie burgers as part of a potluck dinner.
“Strong teamwork and an impressive dedication to the cause led to outstanding results at this pilot campground. We encourage pilots from Oregon or afar to enjoy the refreshed sites, and let us know if any further improvements or modifications would be helpful,” Brown added.
For more information on Siletz Bay State Airport, please visit the RAF Airfield Guide.
Submitted April 24, 2026
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FEATURING: SMARTWOOL SOCKS Whether you’re flying into the backcountry, hitting the trail, or simply going about your day, a comfortable pair of socks can make all the difference. Smartwool Socks are designed for outdoor adventures and everyday wear, offering the comfort, support, and durability you need wherever the day takes you. Made by Smartwool and finished with the RAF logo, they’re a practical way to bring a little backcountry spirit along for the journey. Get your feet backcountry-ready and show your support for the RAF from the ground up!
The tradition continues — RAF 2026 Photo Contest! We’re excited to announce the upcoming RAF 2026 Photo Contest! It’s time to look through your photos and find your favorites. Once again, we’ll include the “RAF Mission” category, recognizing photos that best capture people enjoying recreational aviation, no matter the region. Each winning photographer will receive a package of high-quality greeting cards featuring their photo on the front and photo credit on the back — just in time for the holidays! New this year: We’re especially excited to see your photos from our Expanding The Map airstrips! Submit a photo taken at one of these airstrips, and we’ll send you a small gift from the RAF Outfitter as a thank-you for sharing it with us. Stay tuned for our next announcement, which will include everything you need to know to enter this year’s contest. Eligibility: The contest is open to all RAF supporters, amateur and professional photographers alike, including those aged 18 and under. Our judges are the RAF’s volunteer VPs of Appreciation, who also handwrite the RAF’s thank-you cards each week. They especially enjoy photos featuring airplanes, beautiful scenery, and people experiencing the fun and adventure of recreational aviation. The contest opens October 1, and winners will be announced November 15. Start looking through those camera rolls — we can’t wait to see where recreational aviation has taken you! Submitted September 3, 2026
When pilot Eric Johnson of Canby, Oregon steps up to help on RAF projects, he says he’s motivated to preserve these opportunities now and for future generations. Eric is a third-generation pilot himself, and he and his wife Elle have three children, all under age five as of this writing. Eric says, “Jett, the oldest, is obsessed with airplanes,” and Grandpa Kevin Johnson treats Jett to donuts at the local FBO on Fridays so they can watch airplanes. Kevin Johnson’s name should be familiar to readers, since he has supported the RAF all over the West. He has designed, delivered, and assembled a number of camping structures and other amenities at RAF-supported airfields, often assisted by Eric, who loves to contribute his precious spare time on these projects, saying, “Our family values tradition and hard work, which is a big part of what the RAF is. That’s how all the work parties are. Everyone shares the same goal and is happy to be there.” Eric earned his private pilot license in 2012 in the same Cessna 172 that his grandfather and Kevin bought in 1976, and that he now co-owns with Kevin. “We hangar it at the home that we live in, that my grandfather built in 1990,” Eric says. Elle is a private pilot as well, and worked for Columbia Helicopters until becoming a stay-at-home mom. Her father is building an RV4, so “Aviation is on both sides of our family,” Eric says. A licensed General Contractor, Eric has transitioned into property management, helping oversee the family’s 277-space manufactured home park and industrial properties in northwestern Oregon. Eric has made flights into OSH for AirVenture. He says, “The biggest adventure of the 16-hour flight is the last five minutes.” Anyone who has also nosed into that swarm of approaching traffic will probably agree. At Airventure he became acquainted with the RAF at a presentation on backcountry flying. “The mission aligns perfectly with my other outdoor hobbies,” he says. Rafting the Snake River on the Idaho-Oregon line in the Hells Canyon Wilderness, he’s looked up toward the many airstrips near the river. “The only time I’ve seen Moose Creek airstrip is floating and fishing the Selway,” he added. Now he looks forward to landing, pitching his tent, and maybe helping one of his kids tie a line to fish these rivers, perhaps sparking another lifelong passion in the next generation. Submitted September 3, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
Some outdoor enthusiasts experience Utah’s Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness from the flat and peaceful water of the Green River as it goosenecks between Navajo Sandstone canyon walls, spires, and side arches. From a vantage high above, this region of stunning geologic and cultural wonders is equally as stunning. Thanks to the diligence of the RAF’s Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig, pilots may now land on a mesa overlooking the vast San Rafael Desert at Keg Knoll airstrip. This public airstrip is truly a gateway to some of Utah's most remarkable canyon country near Horseshoe Canyon and Canyonlands National Parks, offering a quiet alternative to the busy national park trails. Lessig led an effort over the past three years to advocate for the reopening of Keg Knoll airstrip. Various meetings were organized with the BLM to explore whether the airstrip could be reopened as allowed by the Wilderness Act, leading to the BLM's decision to authorize public access earlier this year. Lessig is planning a work party at Keg Knoll this fall with BLM and Utah Back Country Pilots to further improve the airstrip. Keg Knoll Airstrip has outstanding recreational value and offers pilots ready access to a true wilderness experience. Trails take visitors past ancient stories etched in desert varnish and painted on stone. Or to Colonnade Arch – just two miles from the airstrip – much-photographed for its five time-honed windows in the sandstone. Pilots are reminded that this airstrip lies within a Wilderness Area and all wilderness rules apply, including leaving all motorized and mechanized devices at home; no bicycles, drones, power tools, etc. The southwest 700 feet of the original airstrip is closed to aircraft due to sensitive vegetation. Those seeking a remote, dark sky experience should put Keg Knoll on their travel plan. Bring your self-reliance, and leave nothing behind. The RAF is thrilled that this airstrip has opened this year as part of its nationwide Expanding the Map initiative. Find out more about Keg Knoll airstrip in the Airfield Guide and on our dedicated web page . Submitted August 28, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
RAF Michigan Liaisons Tanmoy Ganguly and Scott Anttila met with district U.S. Forest Service staff prior to starting work at Lost Creek airstrip, now MI45, (formerly 5Y4) in the Huron-Manistee National Forest in north-central Michigan. “We had a very constructive discussion about what the RAF does, and what we envision for future amenities at Lost Creek airstrip,” Ganguly said. The mid-August work weekend attracted 16 aircraft and 20 volunteers, including new MI Ambassador Ryan Minnick, MI Ambassador Ehsan Hamtaei, and IN Liaison Bill Steinmetz, many of whom enjoyed camping overnight in the forested setting. The crew was joined by nearby residents who donated their time, tools, and machinery to help and provided snacks.
