Welcome to the WATF
The Washington Airports Task Force (WATF) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for expanding and enhancing aviation services in Virginia and the National Capital Region. WATF is the only organization whose mission is to support our Virginia airports and its users, including passenger and cargo airlines, corporate and general aviation and others who benefit directly or indirectly from airport operations. WATF is focused on positioning Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles) for continued growth while sustaining the gains already made and supporting Reagan National Airport (National) in a changing air transportation environment.
WATF at-a-Glance
55-member Board of Directors comprised of the region’s and Virginia state business leaders who recognize both Dulles and National as economic engines that fuel our regional, Northern Virginia and Virginia economies.
Dedicated staff of four professionals with a background in airport operations, community development, and marketing.
Administers Foreign Trade Zone #137, which serves the Dulles region by providing a competitive advantage, by way of savings on Customs duties, for companies with locations on U.S. soil.
Serves as convening force for consumer, civic, and economic interests in a region where growth is directly tied to the success of our airports.
Has a history of taking on hard to solve issues for the benefit of our airports and stakeholders.
Sid Dewberry, a previous member of the WATF Board of Directors, serving more than 15 years passed away on July 16 at the age of 94.
We were all very saddened by the passing of Sid Dewberry, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Dewberry, and a previous member of the WATF Board of Directors, serving more than 15 years. Sid passed on July 16 of natural causes at the age of 94.
Sid saw the benefit of the WATF’s work to support the expansion of aviation services at Dulles. Some of you may be surprised to learn of his early advocacy for the expansion of the National Air and Space Museum on the Dulles campus. In the early days of the search for the most suitable site for the museum within the airport’s buffer zone, Sid, one of the founders of Dewberry and Davis—now simply Dewberry—donated $250,000 for a site selection and master plan study that examined 12 sites on the airport. The site they recommended is where the Hazy Center sits today. Indeed, the Dewberry and Davis team did a lot more at the company’s expense: they developed a master plan for an initial museum building and identified the location for the Space Shuttle to be housed until the museum could be built.
The WATF very much appreciates Sid’s vision, commitment, leadership and contributions to the growth of aviation in our region.