The Forest Service invites the public to celebrate the Redmond Air Center’s 50th Anniversary with speakers, tours of the facility and cake. The 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, October 9, from 2-4pm at the Redmond Air Center (RAC), 1740 SE Ochoco Way, Redmond.
The event begins at 2pm with cake and remarks by John Allen, forest supervisor, Deschutes National Forest, Maurice Evans, RAC manager, Dan Torrance, former RAC manager and Al Boucher, the first aerial foreman of the RAC. Public tours of the RAC facilities will happen at 2:30-3:30pm.
Redmond Air Center at 541-504-7200.
Background
In 1961, fire operations managers determined there was a need for a centralized fire air operations center. By August of 1964, the final touches were being put on the main facilities of the Redmond Air Center (RAC).
At the time, the City of Redmond was selected from several other locations because of the size and quality of the existing airport and favorable weather conditions. The plans included a paraloft for smokejumpers, barracks, administrative offices, a regional cache, training facilities, and a retardant base. By 1970 all these facilities were finished at RAC.
Several additions and changes were made over the years to meet the needs of fire operations. The most recent and significant change was the addition of the new administration/training center office building constructed by the City of Redmond in April 2008, which began a 20-year term lease.
