RAF Supporter Ed Kronfuss took on the logistics challenge and procured the posts and rails in Lincoln, Montana. Since no power tools are permitted in the Wilderness, Kronfuss had the posts and rails trucked to the Missoula airport where volunteers pre-drilled them for easier assembly. Daher-Kodiak provided the Kodiak 100 to haul the prepared posts to Moose Creek; and the USFS Shorts Sherpa carried the fence rails.
USFS-RAF FENCE PROJECT UNDERWAY AT MOOSE CREEK, ID
“It was eye opening to witness how completely the Forest Service entrusted the RAF to plan, prepare, and airlift heavy materials into Moose Creek Ranger Station to replace hundreds of feet of fence,” RAF Supporter Tom Jensen said, as he pitched in with other volunteers to help replace jackleg fence at the Idaho USFS airstrip in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.
The Moose Creek US Forest Service log ranger station was built in the 1920s as a fire-fighting base, becoming a supply and management center for more than 50 lookout towers in the Selway-Bitterroot region. Because of the Wilderness designation, the Forest Service transports equipment and supplies for the ranger station and lookouts primarily by mule teams. Naturally, livestock needs fencing, and the original fences were in need of replacement.
Working under USFS direction, as many as 21 RAF volunteers arrived at the airstrip and removed and replaced 1,260 feet of fence. Early October can be wintery at this 2,450 elevation, but the crews enjoyed shirt-sleeve temperatures, and all tent camped for the four days it took to pull down the old fence and erect the almost quarter mile of new. “It was like the Egyptians showed up with all the pyramid builders. I’ve been in construction for 35 years and have never seen so much progress in such a short time,” Kronfuss said.
“Everyone in the work party participated where they saw fit, and the work flowed with the many hands. There was a lot of sweat and digging in by all,” Jensen said. Non-pilot volunteer Jim Maurus described it as, “An amazing opportunity where a self-guided team all worked well to accomplish a lot, ‘fueled’ by cooks Fred and Alex.”
RAF President Bill McGlynn explains that in 1980 recreation was added to the list of functions of Moose Creek. “Pilots found a treasure in the backcountry to take family and friends camping, hiking, and fishing. About 500 GA airplanes make Moose Creek a camping destination every year,” he says.
“What a great group of resources on both sides of this project – civilian aviators and Forest Service working together,” Jensen added.
“This was an amazing collaboration of our volunteers and the Forest Service,” said McGlynn. “Volunteers just rolled up their sleeves and started working. Everyone found some new muscles and also found some new friends. People came from all over the Pacific Northwest, Montana, Idaho and as far as California to participate and we couldn’t have done this without them,” McGlynn said.
Submitted on October 27, 2023
By Carmine Mowbray
Posted in News
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Ryan Field, 2MT1, remains CLOSED temporarily. In October, the runway was closed to begin restoring bare areas with new soil and grass. After the Montana winter and spring seasons, the new grass is coming in nicely; however, the field will remain closed until the turf has had adequate time to fully establish. We will keep you updated, but as of June 1, 2026, Ryan Field remains CLOSED to operations. Submitted May 28, 2026
RAF Massachusetts/Rhode Island Liaison Andrew Lyons has been awarded an RAF grant for the addition of a rustic camper cabin at Nadeau’s Airfield in Acton, ME. The 2,400-ft turf field (02ME) is owned by longtime RAF volunteer John Nadeau, who now serves as one of the RAF's Recreational Use Statute Liaisons. Nadeau welcomes visitors to experience backcountry flying not far from the populated eastern seaboard, and envisions the airfield as a gathering spot for RAF enthusiasts in the region. Not far to the west are clusters of New Hampshire’s mountains, and coastal flying opportunities to the east. “The airfield is well located to serve as a hub for exploring much of what New England has to offer,” Lyons said. There is a small pond on the airfield for visitors to try a bit of fishing. The camping area plan includes the installation of a pre-cut kit cabin manufactured locally in New England, with the addition of sleeping platforms and an RAF fire ring. The cabin will serve as a comfortable shelter, and tools and other items will be stored in the unit as well. Pilots are welcome to camp underwing at 02ME. “We anticipate no shortage of volunteers for this project,” Lyons said. A team will pick the cabin kit up from the manufacturer in Vermont to save shipping costs. Lyons expects the cabin will be completed in early summer 2026. Currently, there is a port-a-john, and future plans include the addition of a plumbed restroom and shower at the field. Find more about Nadeau’s Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 27, 2026
The weekend of May 15-17 saw 39 people arrive at Gillette's Lakewood Lodge, 14WS in Wisconsin, to help clean up winter-damaged broken, downed, and dying trees and ready the property for the summer flying season. They also erected the 18-ft canvas tipi that is available in the summer months for guests to enjoy Owners Bob and Judy Gillette are passionate about aviation, after respective careers in the industry, and welcome visitors to their airfield with camping, canoeing, cycling, swimming, and fishing, all accessible from the 2,137-ft turf runway. Multiple volunteers returned who have been to every work party in the past. RAF Supporters Paul and Diane Iverson drove in from California to help out at the event. There were some new faces as well. First-time volunteer Clay Adams of Rosemount, Minnesota, flew in and camped. He’d cut trees professionally and was a huge help, according to the work party's organizer, Director Jeff Russell. “The volunteers all have the same work ethics as I do, just get it done and have fun while you are doing it,” Adams said, adding, “I joined the RAF last year and heard about Lakewood Lodge. It was a neat place and a lot of fun , and I look forward to helping out again.” Volunteers mostly drove in, with a half a dozen planes bringing more volunteers. Lunch and dinners were graciously provided by Judy and Gillette's nephew, Max. Russell said, "We rented a wood chipper for two days, and it never stopped running. I'm amazed by how hard people work. I'm hugely grateful.” Find more about Lakewood Lodge in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 26, 2026
The RAF Airfield Guide should be your first stop. It’s a directory of destinations with recreational and backcountry opportunities. It’s free to use, and ad-free. If you haven’t yet signed up, that’s quick and easy, too! You’ll find information on runways and amenities, safety briefings, photos, and videos on over 400* public airstrips and private airfields. You can create your own multi-stop Route that includes all the Airfield information. Foreflight users can easily convert Airfield information into a Content Pack that is uploaded automatically into ForeFlight, all at the click of a button. We invite you to add your own comments about an airfield once you’ve visited it. So no matter when your flying season gets going, the RAF Airfield Guide is your first go-to source for information and safety briefings, and it’s available online year-round. To get logged into the Airfield Guide, visit this link , and bookmark it for the future! * More listings are added as they become available. Submitted May 26, 2026 Photo Credit: Laura Benton, Trigger Gap, AR By Carmine Mowbray
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 Steve Johnson, former RAF Director, Supercub.org founder, and Gold Seal CFI/MEI.
