Leading Oregon’s Civil Air Patrol: Klamath Falls airport director will serve as Wing Commander

John Longley will soon be earning a lot of frequent flier miles. The Klamath Falls Airport director will travel from Portland to Brookings in the lead position for the largest civilian Air Force auxiliary in the state.

During the first weekend in October, Longley accepted the Oregon Wing Commander position for the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian volunteer group of aviators that is part of the United States Air Force Auxiliary.

He’s been involved with the organization since 1997, working with management for the Pacific Northwest.

“After a while, it becomes important to you,” Longley said.

His decision to seek the appointment had been on his mind for sometime. It became a concrete decision five months ago. 

Longley says he’s always had an interest in aviation. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Air Force and went on to a long career in city management. His work as a manager allowed him involvement with the Marina Municipal Airport, northwest of Monterey, Calif. He eventually moved to Klamath Falls, where he was introduced to the Civil Air Patrol.

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