Coast Guard HITRON--a model of success

Sea Power, Aug 2002 by Cubanski, Edward J III

Staying One Step Ahead

The squadron is a myriad of integrated training departments working together to hone the skills of the pilots and aircrew/gunners. The unit conducts its own pilot and aircrew initial aircraft transition course in the MH-68A helicopter, including dual-aircraft dayand-night formation tactics. Aircrew receive their initial weapons familiarization training at a contracted facility in North Carolina. After returning to the squadron, they are qualified in more rigorous in-flight tactics during dayand-night gunnery training.

Squadron personnel credit the effectiveness of their training and mission success to the expert assistance provided by Marine Corps pilots and aircrew assigned to Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

HITRON operates its own go-fast tactical training boats to ensure pilots and aircrew/gunners can counter the evasion tactics typically employed by go-fast vessels. Additionally, pilots and aircrew/ gunners undergo extensive weapons training-with a tactical training boat filling the role of the drug-smuggling vessel. Squadron personnel are always researching, developing, testing, and evaluating new equipment and procedures as part of their never-ending effort to stay one step ahead of the smugglers.

The success of the HITRON operations has given a huge boost to the morale of Coast Guard men and women on the front lines of the war on drugs. Airborne-use-of-force platforms and tactics have become highly effective tools for curtailing go-fast smuggling. Much remains to be accomplished to banish go-fast drug-smuggling from the seas, but there is no question that the HITRON helicopters are sending an increasing number of smugglers to just one destination-jail.

By EDWARD J. CUBANSKI III

Lt. Cdr. Edward J. Cubanski III, USCG, a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, is the platform manager of the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON). He serves in the Office of Aviation Management at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D. C.