Video by Cmdr. Ace Castle Interview and edition by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton In this documentary series the Coast Guard spoke with the Cmdr. (Ret) Patrick Merrigan who was the Mission Commander for the first HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron). Merrigan retired as a USCG Commander with 30 years of military service. He Leer másMission Commander (Ret) for the first HITRON Patrick Merrigan[…]
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) and HITRON crews returned home Friday following a 12-week multi-mission deployment in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The USCGC crew deployed in early March to participate in the Tailored Ship Training Availability, a three-week training program was testing the crew in naval warfare, damage control, Leer másUSCGC Hamilton and HITRON crews returns from patrol in Caribbean Sea[…]
PORT ANGELES, Wash. – The USCGC Active (WMEC 619) and a HITRON crew returned to Port Angeles Wednesday after a 10,572 nautical miles and 55-day counter-drug deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard Cutter Active crew and a HITRON aircrew deployed off the coast of Central America in support of counter-drug operations. Numerous Leer másUSCGC Active and a HITRON crew returns home after counter-drug patrol[…]
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) crew returned home Wednesday to Charleston after completing a 72-day patrol throughout the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The crew offloaded 26,250 pounds (11,907 kilograms) of cocaine and 3,700 pounds of marijuana worth $504 million Monday at Port Everglades. Hamilton’s crew interdicted five Leer másUSCGC Hamilton returns home after 72-day patrol[…]
In this documentary series the Coast Guard spoke with JD Lawrence, Aviation Maintenance Technician Petty Officer 1st Class, USCG HITRON (Ret). JD Lawrence retired with over 26 years of military service and was one of the original ten members to stand up Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON). He was one of the first two gunners Leer másHITRON History Series: Coast Guard PA1 JD Lawrence (Ret)[…]
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — USCGC Legare and HITRON crews returned home Thursday after an eight-week counter-narcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South and the Coast Guard 11th District. The crew patrolled over 12,650 nautical miles through the heart of the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Martillo working Leer másUSCGC Legare and HITRON crews returns after counter-narcotics patrol[…]
In this HITRON history series, the USCG spoke with Tony Tangeman (retired Captain). He was the chief of law enforcement for the Coast Guard and the project manager for the proof of concept team that determined the use helicopters to stop the fast vessels dedicated to narcotics smuggling. This project led to the formation of Leer másCoast Guard HITRON history series: Captain Tony Tangeman (Retired)[…]
In this documentary series, the USCG spoke with Captain Kevin Gavin (Retired) from HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron). Gavin was the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Commanding Officer from 2014-17. He was also stationed at HITRON as a line pilot from 2000-03 when the unit was just getting started. Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron operations started as Leer másHITRON History Series: Kevin Gavin, Capt. USCG (Ret)[…]
KITTERY, Maine — The crew of the USCGC Tahoma (WMEC 908) returned to Kittery on Friday after a successful 79-day counter-narcotics and smuggling patrol in the Eastern Pacific. The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma crew interdicted two vessels, seizing 7,300 pounds of cocaine, worth a combined total of roughly $105 million, and detained eight suspected drug smugglers. Leer másThe USCGC Tahoma returns home from 79-day counter-narcotics patrol[…]
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) and a HITRON team returned home to Portsmouth Sunday following an 86-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Bear’s crew interdicted three vessels, seized approximately 8,158 pounds of cocaine, two pounds of methamphetamines, as well as marijuana, worth a combined total of Leer másUSCGC Bear and HITRON crews intercept more than $140 million in drug[…]
