Concerns Rise Over Coast Guard Helicopter Relocation

There is concern and anxiety within Newport’s fishing community and residents, as questions surrounding the future of the Coast Guard rescue helicopter remain unanswered. The City of Newport has received confirmation that the rescue helicopter that has been stationed at the Coast Guard Newport Air Facility located at Newport Municipal Airport was recently relocated to the U.S. Coast Guard Base in North Bend. The U.S. Coast Guard operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The City has been unable to confirm if this move is intended to be temporary or permanent.  

As the home to Oregon’s largest commercial fishing fleet, the City of Newport remains committed to advocating for continued strong air and sea search-and-rescue capabilities on the central Oregon coast. The City is working with local, state, and federal legislators to ensure that the Newport community is well-served by emergency response resources.

Newport Fishermen's Wives representative Taunette Dixon said “We don’t have a lot of answers, just like everybody else." While the Coast Guard has indicated that a helicopter would be stationed in Newport a couple of days each week, community members argue that such an arrangement is inadequate for responding to emergencies that can strike at any time.

Over the past decade, the relationship between Newport and Coast Guard stations has been marked by vigilance and open communication. The community fought to keep the rescue helicopter 11 years ago, launching campaigns and even canceling lawsuits in exchange for assurances that the aircraft would remain in Newport. New changes in policy and statements from officials, however, have left community members uncertain about these guarantees.

“There’s supposed to be a process they have to go through before they can determine that it’s safe enough to remove the helicopter,” said Dixon. This process, they explained, should involve assessing the risk to human life and hosting public forums, but many remain unsure whether the required steps are being followed. For Newport, the Coast Guard helicopter is nothing short of a lifeline. “We are a cold water fleet,” explained Dixon, noting the dangers of winter crab season and the need for immediate rescue during emergencies.

Local fleets, tourists, and even loggers depend on the fast response provided by the Coast Guard crew. “They become a part of our community… It’s so important in so many different ways.” The uncertainty has prompted renewed action: requests have been submitted to meet with the North Bend Coast Guard station, and efforts are underway to raise awareness at all levels of government about the helicopter’s crucial role. As decisions loom in Washington, D.C., Newport’s families and fishermen hope those in power understand what is at stake.