Review: The Northwest Region

The Northwest Region as of November 30, 2009, has 4,778 members located in four states; Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The region has three chapters in Washington: McChord AFB, Greater Seattle; and the Inland Empire in Spokane; two in Oregon: Columbia Gorge in Portland and Bill Harris in Klamath Falls; two in Alaska: Edward J. Monagahan in Anchorage and the Midnight Sun in Fairbanks; and one in Idaho: Snake River in Mountain Home. The largest chapter in the region is McChord AFB, Washington, with over 1,000 members. Idaho with only one chapter does not have a state organization. Within the region are five major Air Force Bases; Elmendorf AFB, AK, Eielson AFB, AK, Mt. Home AFB, ID, McChord AFB, WA, and Fairchild AFB, WA. In addition, the region supports ANG units in Alaska at Eielson AFB, AK; in Oregon at the Portland International Airport and Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls; and in Washington, the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) on McChord AFB, the Washington ANG HQ on Camp Murray and the 141 WANG ARW in Spokane which has a shared role with the 92nd ARW.

Located within the region are 74 Civil Air Patrol Squadrons, 18 AFJROTC units and six Senior AFROTC detachments. Initiatives for establishing and maintaining relationships with the Civil Air Patrol, JROTC and AFROTC are underway throughout the region.

Leading the way in membership recruitment is the Midnight Sun Chapter in Fairbanks AK and McChord AFB, WA. The Midnight Sun Chapter was the 2008/2009 recipient of the Arthur C. Storz Sr. Membership Award as well as receiving a Community Partner Gold Award. McChord received the Unit Exceptional Service Award - Community Partners, Community Partner Gold Award, and Special Recognition for New Member Recruitment Chapter Growth.

Revitalization of struggling chapters and membership growth continues to be a vital part of the region’s goals.

Submitted by I. Fred Rosenfelder, NW Region President

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