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

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.

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.

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.

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.