Airport honors past, looks to future
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is inviting the public to a ribbon cutting after spending almost a year on renovations to the facility. The open house starts at noon Thursday.
The terminal has received new paint, as well as a new HVAC system, carpeting, and windows. There have also been improvements to restrooms and to the kitchen at Elvis’ Bar and Grill.
Along with the new, there’s a salute to the old. With a nod to the history, tributes are paid to the Pendleton Round-Up, Doolittle’s Raiders, and the Triple Nickles.
“The Doolittle Raiders and the Triple Nickle smoke jumpers are two remarkable groups of soldiers who had a historical connection to Pendleton,” Airport Manager Dan Bandel said. “The Doolittle Raiders were a team of 80 airmen who carried out the first bombing raid on Japan in 1942 after training at the Pendleton Army Airfield. The Triple Nickle smoke jumpers were the nation’s first Black paratroopers who were assigned to Pendleton in 1945 to combat Japanese balloon bombs and forest fires. Both groups demonstrated courage, skill, and patriotism in their wartime missions and left a lasting legacy in Oregon and beyond.”
Bandel said the public is welcome to attend the unveiling of the new airport terminal.
“As the largest public airport in northeast Oregon, we are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for our valued customers and supporting business growth in our region,” he said.
Photos provided by the city of Pendleton.
