Former Senator Carmine Mowbray

RAF Featured Supporter Carmine Mowbray

If there was ever an individual who epitomizes volunteerism for the RAF, it’s Carmine Mowbray, from Polson, Montana and St. George, Utah. She volunteered to publish RAF Newsletters, worked on the pilot shelter at Ryan Field, swung a Pulaski cutting sagebrush at a Missouri Breaks airstrip, and staffed the RAF booth at trade shows.

A native of western Washington, she and her husband moved to Montana in 1973. They started a printing business that grew into a regional printing plant serving western Montana, and published a small chain of award-winning weekly newspapers. For nearly two decades they flew a Turbo Lance to manage their six locations around Montana. At the same time they were raising four busy kids, all of whom have grown and are starting families of their own. Mowbrays sold the publishing enterprise to a larger chain in 2000. At that time Mowbrays employed 50 people.

No longer tied to a business, Carmine pursued other interests. She served on First Interstate Bank’s advisory board; spent 14 years on the local Polson hospital board, and taught motorcycle safety for ten seasons. She chaired Polson’s live arts council for a dozen years, and produced an award winning radio show for Montana Public Radio. To exercise her passion for journalism she published two works of historical fiction, one of which won a national award. Of her time serving in the Montana Senate, she says, “It was a real honor and very stimulating to be surrounded with 49 type-A workaholics who love to debate.”

Carmine now owns a 1960 Cessna 182 equipped with a three blade prop and a Sportsman STOL. “I can reach some outstanding places with this plane. By supporting the RAF we can all work together to maintain the destinations we all are privileged to use.”


    Recent Posts

October 21, 2026
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum at Tullahoma Regional Airport is the site of a new RAF Fire Hub, provided by an RAF grant submitted by Tennessee Ambassador Steve Lewis. The Parish family, who own the Beechcraft Museum, along with other RAF volunteers, contributed to the preparation and installation of the fire hub. They completed the project in time for folks to enjoy it during the annual Beech Party event over the October 10-11 weekend. The 20-foot diameter permanent concrete base was provided by a private donor. The fire ring and three 10-foot-long propeller blades were designed and fabricated by RAF Volunteer Pete Smith of Lewistown, Montana, with design assistance from Pete's son Matt Smith of Bozeman, Montana. The structure lies east of the 2,775-ft turf Parish Aerodrome runway adjacent to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. “This permanent installation will showcase the RAF mission as the Museum draws visitors from around the country,” Lewis said. For more information on the airport, see the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 21, 2026
October 21, 2026
Michigan RAF volunteers had a very successful work party at Hanley Field (5Y7) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the October 10-11 weekend. Led by Michigan Ambassador Ryan Minnick, the crew, including Michigan Liaison Tanmoy Ganguly, cut and stacked firewood, repaired the sink and water heater, and relocated the airport sign along the road for better visibility. “We had a great weekend and got a good amount of work done. It was great connecting with supporters from the area,” Minnick said. “The assistant airport manager was there and was very happy with the results that came out of the work party.” Fourteen remained to camp Saturday night. Find more about Hanley Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 21, 2026
By lellington • October 18, 2026
By lellington • October 18, 2026
By lellington • October 16, 2026