WHEN THE HARD WORK IS NOT REALLY THAT HARD

How does that happen … making hard work easy that is? Well, you start out with a great group of people with diverse skills and you bring them together, and more or less get out of their way. With another year of flying nearly in the books, I find myself reflecting on this. Four places come to mind as examples. They are not in any order or priority, but do point to how projects that would otherwise be very difficult to pull off are more easily accomplished, and for sure fun to do.

Trigger Gap, Arkansas work party
This part of the country continues to attract and provide enjoyment to the many who have experienced the beauty of the area. Every year a dedicated local group leads the effort to keep all of the area airfields in shape. People come from all around, many traveling from across the country to pitch in. From building the airfield itself, to adding camping facilities at Trigger Gap and Richland Creek, it’s the willing talent that keeps things looking great.

Ryan Field, Montana Fall work party
This used to feel like an almost insurmountable task, but once again, a number of talented folks came together to make it lots of fun and not too much work for any one person. This year we were able to clear additional trail with a great crew. Working shoulder to shoulder on the wood splitting crew, fence building, trail clearing, blowing out the irrigation and water system, or helping with the meals are all tasks that need doing, and would seem hard, likely because they would be, were it not for so many who feel connected to Ryan and are willing to help.

Moose Creek, USFS Airstrip, Idaho
This was the base of operations for an Idaho multi-airstrip engineering evaluation. With the help of Daher/Kodiak, the RAF was able to transport two volunteer airport engineers who conducted assessments at Fish Lake, Cayuse Creek, Orogrande, Dixie USFS airstrip, and Wilson Bar. These assessments will set the stage for future improvements and maintenance at these strips. The upcoming work would not be possible without accomplishing this first. Oh, and while they were at it, new parts and pieces were ferried in for the USFS Moose Creek shower house that was damaged by fire and windstorms, as well as a new steel fire pan there, Fish Lake and at Wilson Bar.

Gillette Airfield, Wisconsin work party
An army of dedicated volunteers showed up to clear brush, do recurring maintenance and build a new shower facility. People traveled long distances just to join that work crew.

All these are examples of hard jobs made easy by planning the projects, finding local leadership who organized each one alongside RAF HQ, and asking volunteers to come help with their time, talent, and treasure. The RAF is really showing up and showing who we are. The amazing thing to me about all this is that it all happened within about ten days. That is a lot of coordination and effort that made hard work easy because the RAF cares about these places.

Thank you all for a great summer 2025 flying season and we hope you will continue to enjoy these special spots.

-John McKenna, RAF Chairman

Submitted October 16, 2025