RYAN WORK PARTY A SUCCESS

Nine dedicated RAF volunteers drove in for a weekend of work to keep Ryan Field a place we can all be proud of, including Chris Ogden and Margo Sety from Chewelah, WA. Chuck Jarecki assigned tasks, and the crew completed on Saturday what had been planned to take two days.

Montana Liaison Ron Normandeau, assisted by Margo, removed the wings from the red Tri-Fokker that Ben Ryan had constructed. The aircraft has been donated to the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula, and Chuck is seeing to it that the artifact arrives there safely.

Larry Ashcraft, ably assisted by Brett Church, cut down and skidded numerous dead lodgepole pines threatening the powerline. They then cut a pickup load of it into firewood lengths and replenished the pilot shelter supply.

Chris, assisted by Chuck and Carmine Mowbray, cleaned up and hauled three pickup loads of winter debris to a slash pile.

Mike Hines brought his brush hog and tractor and spent the entire day mowing the rough areas near the pilot shelter, the Ryan Loop Trail and the vehicle camping area.

Carmine and Trish McKenna cleaned the pilot shelter and outhouse, then removed all the decorative but deteriorating fence rails.

Chuck and Chris put up a new “Ryan Field” signpost at the highway turnoff. Next time you see it, you can’t miss the model Cessna and American flag!

Tricia and Chris un-crated and assembled a donated mower, and Tricia mowed until called away for dinner.

Carmine grilled sandwiches for lunches and and everyone gathered in the shelter for a Sloppy Joe dinner, protected from the pouring rain.

“Our timing was good,” Chuck said. “The hard rain held off until the start of the 5 pm happy hour.”

Submitted on June 12, 2018

Posted in News

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RAF FIRE HUB INSTALLED AT BEECHCRAFT HERITAGE MUSEUM

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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

MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS WORK AT HANLEY

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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