Oregon Army National Guard Rescues Injured Logger in Mount Hood National Forest

Helicopter hoist operation safely extracts logger with broken leg from remote, rugged terrain.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:18am

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The Oregon Army National Guard responded to a call for help in the Mount Hood National Forest, where a logger had been struck and pinned by a falling tree. The logger suffered a broken leg and other injuries, and the steep, rugged terrain prevented a ground extraction. A National Guard helicopter hoisted the injured logger to safety and transported them to a local hospital.

Why it matters

This rescue operation highlights the critical role of the National Guard in providing emergency response capabilities, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas. The incident also underscores the hazards faced by loggers working in dense forest environments and the importance of swift, coordinated rescue efforts to save lives.

The details

The logger was initially pinned by the fallen tree, but other loggers on the scene were able to cut the tree away and free the logger's leg. First responders from the Estacada Fire District stabilized the logger, but an air ambulance helicopter could not safely access the remote, densely forested location. The Oregon Army National Guard then deployed an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to hoist the injured logger, who was placed in a basket and lifted approximately 200 feet to the helicopter.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday in the Mount Hood National Forest, about 60 miles southeast of Portland.
  • The logger was initially pinned by the fallen tree, but other loggers were able to free the leg.

The players

Oregon Army National Guard

The state's National Guard unit that responded with a helicopter to rescue the injured logger.

Estacada Fire District

The local fire department that initially responded to the incident and stabilized the logger before the National Guard arrived.

Lt. Tony Hadeed

A paramedic with the Estacada Fire District who had previous experience as an Army National Guard flight medic, which helped coordinate the rescue operation.

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What they’re saying

“This was his first time being on the other side of a rescue for Tony, but because of his previous experience, he added additional value with team coordination, site preparation, and patient packaging.”

— Matt Aalto, Estacada Battalion Chief (ksgf.com)

The takeaway

The successful rescue of the injured logger by the Oregon Army National Guard demonstrates the vital role of the National Guard in providing emergency response capabilities, especially in remote and challenging environments where other rescue options may be limited. This incident highlights the importance of well-trained and equipped emergency responders who can coordinate effectively to save lives.