SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon National Guard activated approximately 20 additional service members and four helicopters July 28, 2026, expanding its support to Oregon's wildfire response with a new firefighting mission layered on top of an ongoing MEDEVAC support mission.

"It is all hands-on deck right now," Gov. Tina Kotek said. "As the Oregon National Guard moves in to assist our fire response agencies, I want to express my gratitude and support for their dedication in protecting Oregon communities."

Two HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation, based in Salem, and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendleton, are converging on Pendleton to support suppression efforts on the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County. Both aircraft types will use water buckets for aerial suppression. Crews completed Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration at Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Salem and #2 in Pendleton today, with water bucket operations expected to begin as early as July 29.

The Oregon Army National Guard first activated for State Active Duty July 20 to provide a Search and Rescue MEDEVAC helicopter on standby in support of the Oregon Department of Forestry's wildfire response. That HH-60M Black Hawk and crew relocated to Pendleton roughly a week ago and continues to provide 24/7 emergency MEDEVAC response for the region.

Lt. Col. Nathan Edgecomb, the Oregon Army National Guard state aviation officer, said the Guard is preparing for a long fire season ahead.

"We expect this to be a long and hard fire season, so we're preparing for the worst," Edgecomb said. "We will continue to swap out crews as necessary to stay in the fight and help our fellow Oregonians protect life and property."

With today's activation, approximately 25 Oregon National Guard service members and five helicopters are now supporting Oregon's wildfire response.

"We're grateful to the Oregon National Guard for the ongoing partnership between our organizations through Ops Plan Smokey, which enables Oregon to deploy its National Guardsmen to a different kind of firefight," said State Forester Kacey KC, who is also director of the Oregon Department of Forestry. "Bringing these helicopters in to support our ground resources wouldn't have been possible without the overhead personnel from California and Nevada. They volunteered to come here and provide much needed management capacity so we can get more resources in the air."

Released photos:

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An Oregon Army Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter empties a water bucket onto flames on the Brattain Fire on September 15, 2020 near Paisley, Ore. Two Army Guard Black Hawks, headquartered out of Salem, Ore. are currently assigned to the fire. The helicopters concentrated on dumping water buckets on the north perimeter of the fire in coordination with other aircraft supporting wildland firefighting efforts. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs).

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U.S. Army Sgt. James Gale, a crew chief with Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation, secures equipment inside an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Salem, Ore., July 20, 2026, as the aircraft and crew prepared for search and rescue medevac support in response to Oregon's wildfire season.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nathan Edgecomb, the Oregon Army National Guard state aviation officer, briefs incoming aviation crew members during a State Active Duty personnel briefing at Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Salem, Ore., July 28, 2026. The crews were preparing to join the Oregon National Guard's wildfire support mission, which includes helicopter suppression operations near the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)