Archive image: A crew member aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter observes the small boat crew members beneath the helicopter during hoist training in the Umpqua River, near Winchester Bay, Oregon, March 14, 2022.
Training operations are held regularly to ensure the search and rescue capabilities of Coast Guard crews stay up to the high standard expected of them.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Weydert.
ASTORIA, Oregon. — A Coast Guard Air Station North Bend MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of a missing hiker in the Illinois River Valley near Greenwall Rapids, Oregon, following a multi-day search alongside the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. Friday morning, February 20, 2026.
The MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend supported the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team during efforts to locate the 26-year-old hiker, who had last been seen Monday near Greenwall Rapids.
The Coast Guard received a request earlier in the week from the Oregon Search and Rescue Coordinator to assist Josephine County with the search. The MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew deployed several times throughout the week, conducting aerial searches in support of ground teams.
On Friday, a private party coordinating with search and rescue personnel located the hiker. Crews requested Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter support after determining the individual could not be safely evacuated on foot due to their injuries.
The rescue was the result of a multi-day search alongside the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Coast Guard video edited by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Kirk.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend.
U.S. Coast Guard Northwest.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
The hiker was suffering from injuries to his hands and feet.
The MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew arrived on scene at approximately 11:55 a.m., deployed the rescue swimmer and safely hoisted the hiker onboard the aircraft. The individual was transported to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for evaluation.
The search and rescue effort spanned several days and involved close coordination between the U.S. Coast Guard and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
–USCG–
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