Coast Guard Helicopters Involved in Two Rescues: Southern Oregon and Cape Kiwanda, Video

Published 02/22/26 at 4:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Pacific City, Oregon) – Two rescue operations along the Oregon coast involved different U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and agencies Saturday, and one was a week in the making.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) headquarters in Seattle told Oregon Coast Beach Connection a USCG Air Station Astoria helicopter crew provided safety overwatch Saturday as the Tillamook Fire Department, operating with the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, coached two surfers up a rock face at Cape Kiwanda. The surfers had become trapped while trying to return to shore and were unable to maneuver safely.

“Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District was dispatched to Cape Kiwanda Beach Saturday afternoon for a possible high-angle rescue involving two surfers caught in a rip current,” the district said.

One surfer managed to reach shore with help from others in the water. The second was pushed against a rock cliff and could not climb to safety. Nestucca crews deployed their quick-rappel system - equipment obtained through a grant from Oregon State Parks - allowing firefighters to reach the surfer, help him up the cliff, and guide him back to the parking lot.

Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District

Both surfers declined medical care.

Initial assessments by the district’s rope rescue team found the terrain unsafe, the USCG told Oregon Coast Beach Connection, prompting a request for assistance from an Air Station Astoria helicopter crew. When the helicopter arrived, it was ultimately needed only as a safety backup while Tillamook firefighters coached the surfers up the rock face.

Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District

“We would also like to thank North Lincoln Fire & Rescue for responding with Water Rescue 16 and providing downstream safety, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard for providing a helicopter to assist,” the district said. “We are extremely grateful for these partnerships as they help us continue improving the service we provide to our citizens and visitors.”

According to the district, rip currents can form quickly and are often stronger than they appear. If you are caught in one, swimmers should remain calm, avoid fighting the current, and swim parallel to shore until free of the pull before heading back in. Checking surf conditions carefully and avoiding swimming or surfing alone are also recommended.

Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend supported sheriff’s search and rescue teams throughout the week as they looked for the 26-year-old hiker, who was last seen Monday in the Greenwall Rapids area. The Coast Guard had been requested earlier in the week by the Oregon Search and Rescue Coordinator to assist with aerial searches while ground crews worked the terrain below.

On Friday, a private party working with search and rescue personnel located the missing hiker. After determining the individual could not be safely evacuated on foot due to injuries, crews requested Coast Guard air support.

The hiker was found with injuries to his hands and feet. The MH-65 arrived at approximately 11:55 a.m., lowered a rescue swimmer, and hoisted the individual aboard. The hiker was transported to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for evaluation.

The operation spanned several days and relied on close coordination between the Coast Guard and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.

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