Chapter 28 (Montana) of the Special Forces Association (US Army) is putting together our schedule for next summer's season in support of our active duty Special Forces soldiers (the Green Berets). Currently our chapter awards free time shares to great vacation locations to active duty Army Special Forces soldiers to give them much needed breaks from the dangerous role they are performing in service to our country.

As a new pursuit to support our vets, we are seeking qualified, skilled back country aircraft owner/pilots to help us next summer. We will provide one, two, and three day fly in camp outs throughout the summer flying season. Our volunteer military group would like to concentrate on Idaho and Montana back country strips for the first summer but remain totally open to suggestions based on the support we receive. Deserving soldiers are selected by Joint Special Operations Command active duty leaders. Our website is http://www.sfa28.org/ Qualified willing pilots will volunteer their aircraft and their time to fly the vets into the back country airstrip/campgrounds and return them back to an airport served by major carriers. These pilots will be responsible to insure a good camp and fun experience to the soldiers. Transport from their military base to the commercial airport is paid for by others. I own two companies, work 24/7, but will help spearhead this effort. I am seeking some help with this project from those sincerely willing to help support this effort. Spreading the work around and teamwork will be the key to make this work. Thank you in advance.

If my work schedule allows me the be avaliable the time period of this fly in, I'm more than willing to help out! I'm based at Caldwell which is right next to Boise (KBOI) and close to Mt. Home AFB.

What are strips in Idaho are you looking at for the fly ins?

I can assist with hauling the guys into the backcountry. I live in California but will based out of Idaho for the event. Advance dates for preplanning will be helpful to my schedule.

Rob Ryan
Naval Aviator

My email for contact is [email protected]. Please guard the address. We are compiling a list of pilots for next summer willing to do one two to three day trip flying and looking after one to two active duty Special Forces soldiers. It will give them a rare opportunity to get away from all the stress they are encountering with many deployments overseas...just a chance to turn off the switch for a few days. We are receiving good support from the Montana and Idaho Pilot's Associations and QB's.