FOREST SERVICE PROJECT DEMONSTRATES VALUE OF PARTNERSHIP

A January 2, 2024 US Forest Service news release commends its partnership with the RAF for the rehabilitation of Gila National Forest’s Sacaton Airstrip. RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller organized volunteers for a series of work parties that resulted in reestablishment of the long-abandoned runway, and installation of a new vault toilet there, which also benefits Rain Creek Trail hikers.


Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes is quoted as saying, “The Recreational Aviation Foundation has been a wonderful partner that is helping to improve and maintain backcountry airstrips across the Gila National Forest. Without their volunteers’ commitment and enthusiasm, Sacaton Airstrip would still be but a memory. This partnership helps secure the future of recreational aviation access on the Gila National Forest.”


Beginning in 2010 with Negrito airstrip, RAF and New Mexico Pilots Association volunteers worked on improvements under the direction of then-Reserve District Ranger John Pierson. The New Mexico Airstrip Network was formed to coordinate interested parties and land managers, and annual work parties followed to install windsocks, clear rocks and brush, and improve fences. “Our goal is to maintain the Gila airstrips in good condition so that they may be used for fire suppression, emergency medical evacuation, as well as recreational access,” Keller said. “It was Larry Filener and Mark Spencer who originally joined the District Ranger at Sacaton to look it over. I give great credit to Larry and Mark who had the vision and wisdom to recognize its potential,” Keller added. 


The RAF and Gila National Forest entered into an agreement in September 2022 to maintain and improve all six of its backcountry airstrips. In addition to Sacaton, they are Beaverhead, Jewett Mesa, Me-Own, Negrito, and Rainy Mesa. RAF volunteers were consulted to help prepare operational standards and a joint operation, maintenance, and inspection plan to ensure ongoing maintenance for these Gila airstrips. The RAF had been successful getting the Forest Service to allocate funds for backcountry airstrips, amounting to $750,000 annually. In 2023, the Southwestern Region received $161,731 for the RAF/Gila cost share challenge, in which the RAF participates by providing services.


“The process leading to this success really is a template for further projects. We look forward to partnering with the Forest Service to bring more improvements in the name of respectful and safe aviation access,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said.

The Forest Service acknowledges that backcountry airstrips are an important part of the administrative and recreational infrastructure, providing low impact access to national forests. Sacaton is marked “Private” on charts, so pilots should call Gila Dispatch at 800-538-1644 for permission to land, and current airstrip conditions. See its Airfield Guide listing here.


Submitted on January 12, 2024
by Carmine Mowbray

Posted in News

Recent Posts

FINDING PURPOSE IN THE EFFORT

April 9, 2026
“The only people who can change something are the ones who really want to. And not everybody does.” When I read this, it took me back to the early days of the RAF. We saw a troubling trend taking place — the loss of airstrips across the country with no real organized voices to help put the brakes on the decline. And we really wanted to change that. Change demanded new ideas from us. Ideas that we assumed would initially be resisted. This defined our purpose. Good ideas come with the burden of effort and purpose. That separates those with a strong purpose from those without. We wanted to create an organization that would counteract the attrition of backcountry airstrips we saw taking place. We rolled up our sleeves and didn’t look back. Easy to say now that the RAF was lucky, but it was purpose that drove the organization in the early years; that really formed who we are today. A group of people with a purpose who knew we needed more people who thought like we did, and cared; people who took this idea called the RAF and added to it, keeping it unique but effective. We felt that most of the existing business models in the nonprofit space were not what we needed to be, and we pushed forward persistently with our thinking – thinking that required putting our own personal desires aside and pursuing ones that were for a greater good. You joined in. You, too, found purpose in the RAF and now look where we are. Nearly 15,000 of us are making the necessary sacrifices to make our voices heard, to create a better environment for the future of recreational aviation. We have more opportunities today because of you. Each one of us is important to continue the momentum we have gained. To determine what the RAF can do to further our mission to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access. To prioritize the many opportunities coming our way. It is about us, and what we are going to do with the time we have left on this earth. This organization will hopefully give you purpose now and in the future. Most importantly, I really hope it will give you as much sense of accomplishment as it has me. Thank you for what you continue to do. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted April 15, 2026

RAF OUTFITTER APRIL FEATURED COLLECTION

April 5, 2026
FEATURING: THE RAF DOG COLLECTION MODELED BY JOSIE & MUD Outfit your four-legged co-pilot for every adventure! From airplane rides to backcountry trails, this collection has everything they need to travel in comfort and style. Featuring two new additions—a stainless steel Orvis dog bowl and DawgMuffs—alongside RAF favorites like the collar, leash, and bandana. This collection includes items designed and created by RAF supporters. Shop the Dog Collection here. If you have questions, please email contact@theraf.org or call 406-582-1723. Your RAF Outfitter purchase is greatly appreciated and furthers the mission to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access. You can support the RAF mission all year by shopping at the RAF Outfitter online store. Products are being added regularly, and items are thoughtfully selected for durability and suitability for pilots, by pilots. We welcome photos of supporters using RAF gear! Please send your images to ewhite@theraf.org , and let us know if we have permission to post them on social media or our website. Submitted April 5, 2026.

KELLI GANT

April 3, 2026
Call To Action Volunteer

TIME TO REVIEW AIRSTRIP SAFETY BRIEFINGS

March 30, 2026
As you're planning your 2026 flying adventures, remember to review safety briefings for the airstrips you plan to visit. The RAF strongly recommends you review safety briefings and print a copy to have in your airplane - it's even required to fly into some airfields, like Ryan Field (2MT1). For those airfields, pilots flying in are required to review the briefing on an annual basis, and now is the perfect time to catch up on any changes to the runway/area that happened throughout the winter. You can find safety briefings on the RAF Airfield Guide . If an airfield in the Airfield Guide has a required briefing, the airfield listing will clearly indicate it and have a tab to view the briefing. Submitted March 30, 2026 Photo By Jim Stevenson

RAF VOLUNTEERS BEGIN TO RESTORE HISTORIC RANGER AIRFIELD HANGAR

March 30, 2026
RAF Texas volunteers and Ranger Airfield Foundation volunteers helped begin restoration of the historic 1928 Ranger Airfield hangar on March 28. “A Wright biplane landed here at the field in 1911, and people have been using it ever since,” Ranger Airfield Foundation Founder Jared Calvert said. He noted that Amelia Earhart landed there in a Pitcairn Auto Gyro. Richard Bach, Pancho Barnes, and General Patton also landed at the field. It’s the oldest continuously used turf field in Texas.