The U.S. Coast Guard’s air facility on the Central Oregon Coast will remain open for at least two years thanks to funding within the Coast Guard’s 2015-17 Appropriations Bill. Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) spearheaded the funding effort that not only covers the Newport day facility, but also USCG operations in Charleston, SC. Provisions inserted in the Bill could make it difficult for the Coast Guard to close the facilities in the future. The USCG had attempted to close the Newport Day Air Station in 2014, but a backlash from the Central Coast fishing community halted the effort. The Newport facility is located at the Newport Municipal Airport and is staffed by Air Station North Bend daily. It takes about an hour for a helicopter to respond from the South Coast to Newport for a rescue call, or any other emergency. The facility is reportedly responsible for about 50 rescues a year.
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