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Coast Guard HITRON History Series: Capt. Walter Reger

Coast Guard HITRON History Series: Capt. Walter Reger
Archive image: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 24, 2001) – Two HITRON’s, the Coast Guard’s latest drug enforcement weapon, are out on patrol aiding in port security over St. John’s river. The Coast Guard unveiled the MH-68 Mako helicopter in 2001, an aircraft specifically designed to encounter the «go-fast» drug smuggling boats.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dana Warr.

In this documentary history series the U.S. Coast Guard spoke with retired Capt. Walter Reger, who was the 3rd commanding officer of the HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron).

The HITRON operations started as an experiment in 1998 to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. Drug trafficking organizations primarily used «go-fast» boats, high-speed smuggling vessels capable of traveling over twice the speed of Coast Guard cutters (USCGC). The U.S. Coast Guard needed a way to counter the threat.

In late 1998, six Coast Guard pilots and four enlisted aircrew members developed tactics and procedures to utilize armed helicopters operating aboard Coast Guard cutters to answer the call.

The HITRON began operating with rented helicopters MH-90 Enforcer, USCG designation for the MD900 Explorer which were later replaced by the type MD902 (made by MD Helicopters). The MH-90s gave way to Italian aircraft MH-68A Mako (Agusta A109 Power). In the present the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrews fly eight MH-65 Dolphin.

The MH-65 Dolphin series was specifically designed by Aérospatiale, today Airbus Helicopters, for the Coast Guard purchase contrac. The result was the one appointed by the manufacturer as AS366G, a variant of the AS365 from the Dauphin family. This version of the helicopter has been manufactured exclusively and under the technical specifications of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard video by Ace Castle (U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area).

HITRON helicopters operate in known smuggling vectors and rely on expertly trained aircrews and precision marksmen to disable go-fast drug smuggling vessels in the event suspects refuse to comply with verbal and visual warnings for law enforcement boardings under international maritime law. This series focuses on the founding members, pioneers, and stakeholders who have played an essential part in HITRON’s history.

Interview by: Cmdr. Ace Castle.
Edited by: Petty Officer 1st Class Alissa Blackburn.

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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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