Military

Air Station Astoria
Warrenton, OR

Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria was established on 14 August 1964 at Tongue Point Naval Station, Astoria, Ore., with a crew of 22 officers and 104 enlisted men. Two single engine HH-52A Seaguard helicopters were operated from that location. These helicopters staged from the Port of Astoria Airport during periods of inclement weather. This was done until the Air Station was permanently moved to its present location at the Warrenton, Ore., airport on February 25, 1966. The helicopters were replaced with three larger twin engine HH-3F Pelican helicopters in March 1973. Two HU-25A Falcon jet aircraft were assigned to the Air Station in October 1983 to enhance the law enforcement effort as well as contribute to search and rescue and logistical missions.

Group/Air Station Astoria has an area of responsibility which stretches from the Queets River on the Washington coast south, to Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon coast; and the Columbia River east to Longview, Wash. The Group provides supply; administration; medical; naval and civil engineering; communications; and other support functions to all the units stationed in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. Group Astoria has responsibility for the operational units in their area which include: Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Wash.; Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash.; Station Tillamook in Garibaldi, Ore.; USCGC Cowslip in Astoria; Aids-to-Navigation Team Astoria; three HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters; and three lighthouses. The missions of Group/Air Station Astoria include, search and rescue, law enforcement, aids to navigation support, and environmental protection.

The Group also provides limited operational support to the National Motor Lifeboat School and the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School, both located in Ilwaco, Wash.; as well as logistical support to the Pacific Area 210-foot USCGC Alert and USCGC Steadfast, both homeported in Astoria.