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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RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine and Noble County Airport Board members hosted a work party on May 31 at the Wolf Run Fly In Campground, Noble County Airport (I10). Volunteers cleared downed trees to generate plenty of firewood for four fire rings: one located at each of the three tent platforms, and the RAF-branded fire ring in the large gathering area by the new pilot shelter/storage shed. The two outhouses were cleaned, leaves were raked away from the tent platforms, and volunteers created a raised kindling area. “The Noble County Airport Board provided a full cookout lunch, complete with homemade potato salad and chocolate chip cookies,” Mortine said. “We sat at the picnic tables and shared ideas about new RAF projects sparking in Ohio and gave a heartfelt thank you to the board members, who have contributed a tremendous amount of support with materials and their skills to Wolf Run Fly-In campground.” To celebrate and enjoy this unique destination in Ohio, a fly-in has been scheduled Friday-Sunday, September 11-13, 2026. Mark your calendars for the opportunity to land on the 3,800-ft paved runway, and explore the large forested camping area along the lake nearby. RAF carts are available to haul your gear to the perfect camping spot. Watch the RAF Event Calendar for more details. Find more about Noble County Airport in the Airfield Guide . Submitted June 8, 2026
A source of community pride, New Hampshire’s Parlin Field Airport (2B3) is now more appealing than ever. An RAF volunteer crew of eight met on May 23 and set out picnic tables at each of the six campsites; cleared trees and brush from the south windsock and replaced it to make it highly visible. A volunteer also weeded around the flagpole and planted blooming flowers that RAF New Hampshire Liaison John Meade had purchased. “Airport manager Heath Marsden was extremely appreciative of the progress made and spring cleanup,” Meade said. Parlin was one of the RAF’s earliest grant beneficiaries, thanks to Meade’s goal to add improvements for visitors to access. Visitors landing on either the 1,981-ft turf, or 3,450-ft asphalt runway may access the “base ops” building for shelter and restrooms. Nearby the airfield camping area is the Sugar River, known for trout, and the local Sugar Hill Recreation Trails can be accessed across the historic covered bridge with use of airport loaner bicycles. Find more about Parlin Airfield in the Airfield Guide . Submitted June 8, 2026
In 2003, when the newly formed RAF Board of Directors decided to put the RAF logo on shirts, they turned to local Bozeman outdoors apparel and wader manufacturer Simms. Their fishing shirts were known for their proven outdoors-tested quality. The short list of colors came down to two: an earthy, moss green and an almost iridescent orange. They decided to try both colors, and the choice was made at Florida’s Sun ’n Fun that year when RAF attendees discovered that they could see each other quickly in the large crowd wearing the orange shirts. RAF then-Director Tim Clifford said, “Obviously, the orange is our color. We can own it.” The RAF adopted orange, and from that point forward, the orange brand color became woven into the RAF culture. RAF attendees turned heads when they showed up for local, state, and federal land use and planning meetings. The RAF became known and respected as “the guys in orange.” The RAF orange is also a sensible choice for outdoors activities we enjoy, especially flying. Consider a scenario where you want to spot, or be spotted. It’s definitely noticeable. To illustrate, we asked RAF supporter and videographer Charley Voorhis and RAF President Bill McGlynn to take to the air and help us prove that RAF orange really does stand out (photo below). Whether you are in a crowd at Sun ’n Fun, Oshkosh, or out flying the backcountry — if you want to be seen, wear RAF orange!
RAF Tennessee Ambassador Steve Lewis has been awarded an RAF grant for the installation of a new RAF fire ring on the grounds of the Beechcraft Heritage Museum at Tullahoma Regional Airport (KTHA). “The RAF fire ring will provide a centralized location for visiting pilots to gather and share aviation experiences while visiting the facility, and will showcase the RAF mission as the Museum draws visitors from around the country,” Lewis said. The fire ring will have a three-bladed propeller set in a twenty-foot-diameter permanent concrete base; the concrete is being provided by a private donor. Each ten-foot-long propeller blade extends from the three-foot diameter hub. The metal structure is being fabricated by RAF Supporter Pete Smith of Lewistown, Montana. The Museum offers visitors space for airplane and RV camping while visiting the Museum or attending various fly-ins. On-site, there are opportunities for picnicking, and there is an overnight camping bunkhouse that will be up and running this summer. “The Parish family and the Beechcraft Heritage Museum are enthusiastic supporters of the RAF,” Lewis added. The installation is scheduled to be completed in time for the October 6-10, 2026, Beech Party event at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. Museum President Charles Parish said, "We are privileged to partner with the RAF in advancing backcountry aviation preservation, a mission that reflects the Museum’s dedication to preserving aviation history and education." For more information on the airport, see the Airfield Guide . Submitted June 4, 2026
FEATURING: THE RAF ORANGE COLLECTION The RAF’s signature orange is more than just a color—it’s a symbol of preparedness, visibility, and community. Chosen in part for its high visibility in the backcountry, RAF orange serves as a reminder that being prepared starts with the gear you carry and the clothing you wear. As we head into the busy summer flying season, that visibility can make all the difference. Over the years, RAF orange has come to represent something even greater: a community of pilots and backcountry enthusiasts who share a passion for aviation, adventure, and preserving access to the places we love. When you spot someone wearing RAF orange, chances are you've found a friend—or are about to make one. Join the community and show your support for backcountry aviation. Get your piece of the RAF Orange Collection.
