Oregon Wins Court Fight to Bring Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter Back to Newport

By Diane Megaw On Dec 5, 2025 Last updated Dec 5, 2025

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Helicopter | U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Benjamin Applebaum

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden shared news on Thursday that the Newport-based U.S. Coast Guard helicopter removed by the Trump Administration is returning to base after a court ordered it back.

With coastal water temperatures averaging 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, drownings can happen within one to three minutes of immersion, and time is of the essence. Despite this, earlier this year, the federal government removed the Coast Guard helicopter for use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Joining a lawsuit filed by Lincoln County and the nonprofit Newport Fishermen’s Wives,

The state of Oregon sued the federal government for the return of the Coast Guard Helicopter to Newport. Court documents indicate that the helicopter was moved some 70 miles further south to North Bend, reducing critical rescue times from 15 to 30 minutes to 60 to 90 minutes.

These numbers show why the Newport helicopter fight matters to the central coast.

Tidings Data Snapshot

Newport Rescue Helicopter: Why It Matters

1987

Newport Air Facility operating since this year

250+

Commercial vessels home-ported in Newport

$346M

Estimated annual impact of Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery

7,400

Jobs tied to the crab fishery statewide

1-3 min

Cold-shock window cited for 50-54F coastal waters

Source: Oregon DOJ and Newport Fishermen’s Wives court filings and recent Oregon Coast Guard coverage (Nov-Dec 2025)
Dailytidings.com

On November 24, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), noting that the lack of a rescue helicopter presented a danger.

Tidings Context

A temporary restraining order is a short emergency order that preserves the status quo while the court decides whether longer limits on the government’s action are justified.

She ordered the federal government to restore the Coast Guard rescue helicopter to its Newport facility with full operational capabilities and personnel support.

The timing gap below explains why local leaders called the move a life-or-death risk.

Tidings Data Snapshot

Estimated Rescue Time Impact: Newport vs North Bend

Court filings and local officials said relocating the helicopter could extend central coast response times:

Newport fast response – 15 min

Newport upper estimate – 30 min

North Bend lower estimate – 60 min

North Bend upper estimate – 90 min

Source: Oregon and Lincoln County filings and reporting on the Newport helicopter relocation and TRO (late Oct-Dec 2025)
Dailytidings.com

Sen. Ron Wyden said earlier this week that he had spoken with the U.S. Coast Guard, which has returned the rescue helicopter to Newport. The U.S. Coast Guard has now vowed to keep its rescue helicopter in Newport.

Tidings Timeline

2014 – Proposed Newport Air Facility closure challenged; Congress blocked it.
Oct 30 2025 – MH-65 helicopter relocated to North Bend.
Nov 12 2025 – Oregon delegation demands DHS explain the move.
Nov 24 2025 – Judge Ann Aiken issues TRO ordering return.
Dec 4 2025 – Coast Guard commits to keep the helicopter in Newport.