Federal judge orders Coast Guard rescue helicopter’s return to Newport amid public, official outcry

NEWPORT, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A federal judge in Eugene has ordered U.S. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem to return a Coast Guard rescue helicopter to Newport, weeks after it was quietly relocated to North Bend, prompting a community and political outcry.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in Eugene late Monday issued a temporary restraining order sought in a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Newport Fishermen's Wives and Lincoln County, joined Monday by another lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

They claimed the helicopter that has engaged in numerous life-saving efforts over the years was moved without proper official or public notice or following proper procedures.

"The evidence before the Court at this juncture is that those procedures were not followed and the Court can discern no hardship to Defendants in an injunction requiring them to continue operating the Newport Air Facility as they have for the better part of four decades," Aiken wrote in her opinion, KGW reported.

The Newport air station is currently unstaffed, KGW said. Meanwhile, Dungeness crabbing season is set to begin Dec. 16. Judge Aiken's restraining order will last 14 days unless extended or replaced with a permanent injunction.

In a news release Monday about the state lawsuit and before the judge's ruling, Raytfield said, “This helicopter isn’t a luxury—it’s a critical part of how we keep people alive on the Oregon Coast. The federal government didn’t just move a piece of machinery. They pulled away a safety net that this community depends on, and they did it in the dark of night with no transparency and no legal process. We’re taking action because every minute matters in a coastal emergency.”

For nearly four decades, he said, the Newport-based helicopter has been a lifeline for coastal residents, fishermen, and visitors. He argued that its sudden, unannounced overnight removal to North Bend—without any public notice, community consultation, or the risk assessments required under federal law—has left one of the most dangerous stretches of the Pacific Coast without timely aerial rescue coverage.

"We are deeply concerned about the safety of our commercial fishing industry, especially with the opening of crab season scheduled for December 16th," said Becca Bostwick-Terry, President of Newport Fishermen's Wives. "Commercial fishing is one of the nation's most dangerous occupations, and Oregon's cold waters make rapid helicopter response a matter of life and death."

“The loss of the Helicopter at the Newport USCG Air Facility will greatly impact the safety of Commercial and Recreational fishermen, coastal residents, visitors, inland forest workers and recreationalists,” said Lincoln County Commissioner Walter Chuck. “This vital asset also provides assistance to our local first responders and search and rescue teams. Not having the helicopter where it is supposed to be will put lives at risk, especially when our Dungeness Crab fleet will begin setting and pulling their pots in some of most adverse conditions.”