The US Coast Guard assists trail construction efforts for the National Park Service while performing a real life training mission through varied terrain and forest canopy.

Above: US Coast Guard and National Park Service Staff prepare eight sling loads of lumber to be airlifted to remote regions of the fort to sea trail. The materials will be used to construct footbridges and a boardwalk that will allow parkgoers to hike from Ft. Clatsop to Sunset Beach.

Top Left: Bryan Johnson, Logan Jenkins, Hayden Jenkins, Mitch Johnson watch the Coast Guard Jayhawk make its initial approach.

Lower Left: The HH-60J Jayhawk is a medium-range recovery helicopter stationed out of Astoria Ore. Astoria is home to one of eight USCG air stations that use the Jayhawk.



Left: The HH-60 Jayhawk can carry a cargo sling load of up to 6,000 pounds. It has the capability to fly 300 miles offshore, hover for 45 minutes, recover six survivors, and return with fuel reserves.

Above and Below: The airlifted lumber comes from both cedar power poles donated by the Bonneville Power Administration and salvaged pilings from Pier 3 at the Port of Astoria. The poles were re-milled by Mark Saarheim at the Olney Mill near Astoria (see story).

Below: Below: Classified as a training exercise, the US Coast Guard practiced hauling material, working around the forest canopy, and dropping loads at 3 predetermined locations along the trail. This excercise allowed the
Coast Guard to simulate a real mission over a varied landscape and changing conditions. This practice will help the Coast Guard crews maintain their superior performance when they have to respond to a real emergency.

Left: Sons of Park Superintendant Chip Jenkins and US Coast Guard Lt. Commander Gene Johnson wave as the Jayhawk plucks the cargo load from the old log sort yard on Fort Clatsop Road. Hat's off to a job well done!