MINAM LODGE AIRLIFT

The Minam River Lodge (Minam Lodge sits deep inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. Use at your discretion), airlift was an outstanding success, with 25-plus volunteers in 20-plus planes flying multiple sorties between Joseph, Oregon, and the lodge, on April 14 th and 15 th . The volunteer crews ferried new supplies in and roughly 50 years of accumulated debris out. The effort was a mutual gain: Pilots based out of Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California got a chance to visit the wilderness and help out the new owners and hands working to clean up the lodge and in exchange everyone will have cleaner and better facilities to enjoy for future recreational flying.

“This whole thing came about when RAF contacted the new owner, Barnes Ellis, last fall to request that the lodge and airstrip remain open to private pilots and at the same time asked if there was anything it could do to help,” said John McKenna, RAF president. “The concept of the airlift was born through the RAF, with the assistance of BackcountryPilots.org, Oregon Pilots Association and Idaho Aviation Association got word spread and pilots answered the call.”

Weather conditions were acceptable with winds increasing in the afternoon. Before operations ceased, the majority of trash had been removed and new mattresses, food and supplies delivered. “It was great to see so many pilots pulling together to keep access to places like Minam,” said Mike Hart, RAF Idaho liaison. “When you fall in love with a place like this, you do what you can to keep it open. RAF and other pilot groups are really about putting the spirit of cooperation to good use.”

The volunteer work crew spent the night and had a chance for a little rest and mostly to reflect on the days accomplishments.  New friends were made and great stories told.

RAF would like to extend a big thank you to Bill Ables for his tireless effort and incredible competence in organizing the event and keeping it safe. Thanks also goes to the lodge owners and ground crews, especially crew chief and load master Aaron Gilles. And last but not least, a big shout out to all of the pilots involved in the airlift and all of the organizations that helped get the word out. It was an incredible success.

Submitted on April 17, 2012.  

Posted in News

Add your custom HTML here

Recent Posts

WORTH THE READ: TANMOY GANGULY GUEST EDITORIAL

January 16, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Tanmoy Ganguly, a pilot and an RAF Michigan Liaison.

WEATHER STATIONS AT UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS

January 15, 2026
It was a cold, blustery, and snowy day at Cedar Mountain Airstrip in Utah when RAF Utah Liaison and UBCP Board Member, Wendy Lessig met with representatives from the Utah Division of Aeronautics (UDOT Aeronautics) and the BLM, to scout out locations for a portable weather station. UDOT Aeronautics is proposing to place 11 portable weather stations at backcountry airstrips across Utah. The weather stations will provide on-airstrip weather data for pilots, emergency services, firefighters, BLM employees, and other recreational users. A project developed together by the UBCP and UDOT Aeronautics as part of Utah’s Airport Capital Improvement Program, the weather data will fill in gaps where no weather collection currently exists, which will help enhance public safety. RAF Utah Liaison, Wendy Lessig, is facilitating communications with the BLM and has prepared the applications for BLM to review and approve the weather stations. "This project is a true collaboration of stakeholders working together to improve backcountry aviation," Lessig said. In the photo, L to R: Wendy Lessig (RAF Utah Liaison), Nick Holt (UDOT Aeronautics), Nicole Zinger (UDOT Aeronautics), and Dan Rainey (BLM).  Submitted January 15, 2025

Luke Reber

By lellington • January 13, 2026
KANSAS STATE LIAISON

RAF ADDS TEXAS LIAISON JEREMY HARRIS

January 13, 2026
When asked, “What do you like about the RAF?” Jeremy Harris quickly answered, “I love to fly, I love being out in nature, and sharing that with other people.” When the opportunity came up to take a more active role with the RAF, Jeremy didn’t hesitate to raise his hand. “I’ve wanted to fly friends and family around since I was a kid. Growing up in central Texas, the idea of freedom, adventure, and seeing new places from the air always stuck,” he says. After two years of college, he joined the US Army and worked as an intelligence analyst supporting combat search and rescue. “Being around airplanes every day only fueled my desire to fly,” he says. After his Army service, Jeremy took his first flight at a small flight school outside of D.C. and was instantly hooked. Life got busy with a new marriage, growing a technology company, even finishing his undergrad and master's degrees, and three great kids. On his 32nd birthday, he earned his PPL. Over the years, he partnered in several airplanes and focused mostly on training. “The sense of adventure slowly faded, until I decided to fly for fun, even if nobody else wanted to go,” he says. He earned his tailwheel endorsement in a J-3 Cub in the mountains of West Virginia. “Flying through mountain valleys and landing on grass strips next to rivers reignited everything for me,” Jeremy said. He bought a Maule M-4 and began flying to backcountry camping spots. In 2022, Jeremy moved back to Texas and purchased a Citabria, where he now provides tailwheel endorsements and spin training. He flies almost every day, and says, "I build relationships with local airstrip owners, and look forward to helping the RAF keep this dream alive—connecting pilots who love flying, freedom, and time spent in nature.” Feel free to reach Jeremy at jharris@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.

RAF ADDS NORTH CAROLINA LIAISON WILL RICHTER

January 12, 2026
The RAF warmly welcomes Will Richter to the State Liaison team. Will Richter began his aviation journey in the midst of his law enforcement career when he had an opportunity to try out for the Greenville, South Carolina Sheriff’s Air Support Unit. He spent the next seven years flying co-pilot on a Bell OH-58 patrol helicopter. As time and finances allowed, Will pursued his sport pilot license flying Weight Shift Control (WSC) trikes, as well as earning his private and instrument ratings in fixed wing aircraft, and a commercial UAS pilot certificate. Now semi-retired, Will is a licensed general contractor in the stormwater and environmental sector. He owns a Sling TSI fixed-wing aircraft, and an Evolution Revolt WSC trike. “I fly several times a week for work and pleasure,” he says. “The mountains of Western North Carolina have always felt like home to me, and I look forward to exploring and connecting with as many airfields as possible to further the RAF mission,” he adds. Will can be reached at wrichter@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.