**The U.S. Coast Guard’s helicopter stationed in Newport takes off from the helipad at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital on Thursday.** (Photo courtesy of Scott Easler)

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/ Lincoln Chronicle

The U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter stationed in Newport for decades was temporarily removed in October to replace one in North Bend that was deployed to the Southwest border for immigration enforcement, according to documents filed in federal court by the Oregon Attorney General’s office.

A series of court depositions, memorandums, and responses explains why the helicopter was removed from the city’s airport and its operational status. The Thursday court filings are the first public documents linked to the federal response to lawsuits over the helicopter’s removal.

The Newport-based helicopter was quietly relocated to North Bend in October without notice, prompting community uproar and the federal lawsuit by Newport Fishermen’s Wives, Lincoln County and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield just as the treacherous winter crabbing season is about to begin.

The move was suspected to be in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeking through third-party contractors to establish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility at the Coast Guard’s air base and nearby property, which the city of Newport and much of the community is vehemently opposing.

But the Coast Guard’s responses to questions from the state’s attorneys indicate that the Newport-based helicopter was simply needed in North Bend to replace one sent to the border.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken on Nov. 24 issued a temporary restraining order and told the Coast Guard to temporarily return the helicopter while the lawsuit challenging its removal proceeds.

In her order, Aiken said Homeland Security and the Coast Guard did not follow federal rules enacted by Congress after the Fishermen’s Wives group successfully fought a similar helicopter transfer in 2014. Requirements included that Homeland Security provide opportunities for public comment including public meetings, notification to Congress before removing the helicopter.

**A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that has been stationed in Newport was moved in October to North Bend, which had sent an aircraft to San Diego.**

Why was it moved?

Now, court documents show why the helicopter was removed in the first place.

North Bend’s helicopter and crew were deployed to San Diego for “flying missions along the border, looking for anyone attempting to cross the border illegally,” according to explanations by Coast Guard officials conducted by the attorney general’s office.

In the meantime, Newport’s helicopter was moved to North Bend to cover the south and central Oregon coasts. The only other Coast Guard air station on the Oregon coast is in Astoria.

The switch was planned as far back as April and approved in May, according to memos prepared by Coast Guard officials. It was triggered by repairs to San Francisco’s Coast Guard helicopter, which had been assisting in border patrols in San Diego, according to court documents.

North Bend’s aircraft was moved to San Diego on Nov. 18 where it performed eight missions including three border patrols and a response to a vessel fire at the Port of Los Angeles, according to the document. Newport’s helicopter was planned to return in mid-December, but was instead returned ahead of schedule on Nov. 25 to comply with Aiken’s temporary restraining order.

The Newport helicopter used to be in an operational status that required helicopter crews to be launch ready within 30 minutes of a distress notification, but was moved into “Bravo One” status in 2019 requiring crews to be launch ready within one hour of a distress notification, according to Coast Guard Capt. Kent Reinhold’s deposition.

Despite the official designation, Newport’s launch time is usually far less than an hour and is estimated to be within a 30-minute window, Reinhold said.

The air base in Newport has not housed a rescue crew and is considered a sub-unit of North Bend. Newport has no permanent personnel but rather each day, the Coast Guard flies a helicopter from North Bend to the facility along with its crew, according to the deposition.

The Coast Guard’s move of the helicopter was the first time there was not 24/7 helicopter presence in Newport during the winter and crabbing season, according to the deposition.

The court filings came the same day as Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced a conversation with Coast Guard officials that the helicopter was back to stay.

Aiken has scheduled a hearing on the lawsuit at 1 p.m. Monday in Eugene.

Shayla Escudero covers Lincoln County government, education, Newport, housing and social services for Lincoln Chronicle and can be reached at [email protected]