Oregon National Guard Rescues Injured Logger in Mount Hood Forest

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The Oregon Army National Guard successfully rescued an injured logger who was struck and pinned by a falling tree in the remote Mount Hood National Forest. After other loggers freed the man's trapped leg, fire crews stabilized him, but the rugged terrain prevented a ground extraction. The National Guard responded with a Black Hawk helicopter, hoisting the logger 200 feet into the air to safety.

Why it matters

This dramatic rescue highlights the critical role that the National Guard plays in responding to emergencies in remote, difficult-to-access areas. The logger likely would not have survived without the specialized equipment and training of the Guard's air rescue team.

The details

The incident occurred on Thursday in the Mount Hood National Forest, about 60 miles southeast of Portland. A falling tree struck and pinned the logger, initially trapping his leg. Other loggers on the scene were able to cut away the tree to free the man's leg, but he had suffered a broken leg and possibly other injuries. Responding fire crews hiked to the remote location but were unable to safely extract the logger due to the steep, rugged terrain and dense tree cover. An air ambulance helicopter could not access the patient, so the Oregon Army National Guard dispatched an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to perform the high-altitude hoist rescue, lifting the logger 200 feet into the air and transporting him to a local hospital.

• The incident occurred on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
• The logger was rescued and transported to the hospital on the same day.

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