Pendleton UAS Range continues expansion with opening of Flex III hangar
By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton UAS Range continued its expansion with the grand opening of the Flex III hangar at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport.
“It’s kind of rare as an elected official that your are around for the start of something and then to see it many years later,” said Mayor McKennon McDonald, who first served on the City Council the same year the UAS range was established.
The ribbon was cut on the 18,000-square-foot facility Monday, and guests ranging from city leaders to representatives from the offices of Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were shown around by tenants who had already leased the space.
Each space features large bay doors that open directly onto taxiway access. The facility also features mezzanine and office space for leaseholders. Despite its recent completion, all space in the hangar has already been leased.
Airport Manager Dan Bandel previously noted in his annual report to the City Council last month that hangar and pad rentals for UAS companies made up a significant portion of the airport’s $1.8 million in revenue.
“As far as we’re aware, the Pendleton UAS Range is the busiest UAS range in the United States,” Pendleton Economic Development Director Steve Chrisman said at Monday’s opening. “That’s a pretty remarkable statement.”
McDonald, Chrisman, and Airport Engineer/Associate City Engineer Wayne Green with members of Business Oregon at Monday’s opening.
