Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron News

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane returned to homeport from a 94-day patrol in drug trafficking zones of the Eastern Pacific, after seizing approximately 17,203 pounds of cocaine from suspected smugglers, April 8, 2016. The drugs were seized from nine suspected drug smuggling vessels. The contraband is valued at more than $260 million. Harriet Lane’s crew worked in conjunction with detachments from the Coast Guard’s Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET) from San Diego…

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2017 State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club Thursday. This was Adm. Zukunft's third State of the Coast Guard Address and he emphasized the service as a unique instrument of national security. First and foremost an armed service, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the U.S. armed forces that has broad law enforcement authorities and a portfolio of more than 60 bi-lateral agreements that extend around the globe, Zukunft said.

Capt. Kevin P. Gavin relieved Capt. Donna L. Cottrell as commanding officer of Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville during a change of command ceremony at HITRON Friday. HITRON is America's first airborne law enforcement unit trained and authorized to employ airborne use of force and intercept go-fast vessels suspected of transporting illicit narcotics toward U.S. borders. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Robert Parker, Atlantic Area commander, presented Cottrell with a Legion of Merit, highlighting many of her accomplishments. "Capt. Cottrell has led with superior grace and initiative," said Parker. Under Cottrell's command…

An aircrew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron operating from the cutter Active fired warning shots, followed by engine disabling fire to render a drug-running panga inoperable as it attempted to avoid capture. U.S. Coast Guard crews intercepted the panga boat with approximately 7,100 pounds of marijuana and three suspected smugglers aboard in international waters some 155 miles southwest of San Diego. In the most recent incident an aircrew aboard a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft initially detected the 30-foot panga and multiple assets…

Bipartisan legislation that authorizes approximately $8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard in Fiscal Year 2005, including $1.1 billion for the agency’s efforts to modernize its operational assets (Deepwater Project), was approved today by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (H.R. * Rep. * Rep. * Rep. * Rep. * Rep. The bill was unanimously approved without amendment. The Senate recently passed H.R. 2443, the Committee’s FY 2004 Coast Guard Authorization legislation which the House passed last November. The Senate amended H.R. 2443 to include an FY 2005 authorization. Committee Members expect a conference on H.R. 2443 to begin soon and will work to include today’s legislation in the final Coast Guard package.

Legislation that authorizes $8.1 billion in Fiscal Year 2006 for the U.S. Coast Guard’s maritime strategy for homeland security, core mission performance and operational assets was approved today by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. “The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005” (H.R. 889) was unanimously approved by a voice vote. H.R. H.R. 889 was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska), and is cosponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Transportation Committee Ranking Democratic Member James Oberstar (D-MN), and Coast Guard Subcommittee Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA). H.R.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Northland turned over approximately 2,400 pounds of cocaine to federal agents in Mayport Monday following an at sea interdiction with the help of the Jacksonville-Based Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron near Guajira, Colombia, March 10. The transfer comes after Northland's third go-fast interdiction in as many weeks, yielding a total of 55 bales of cocaine and four bales of heroin with a total estimated street value of $50 million. Additionally, 11 suspected smugglers, and five persons suspected of supporting drug trafficking, have been transferred to federal agents as a result of Northland's law-enforcement actions.

Representatives from Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) presented testimony on the Integrated Deepwater System program before the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and Dr. Leo Mackay, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Coast Guard Systems, highlighted ICGS' commitment to the Coast Guard and its continued support of the service's evolving post-9/11 mission requirements. Renewal of the service contract for the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) based in Jacksonville, Fla., for a fifth year. These eight MH-68A helicopters are equipped with airborne use of force and have had a significant impact on illicit drug interdictions.

The Coast Guard Cutter Bear will return to its homeport of Portsmouth after a 62-day patrol in the southern Caribbean. While underway, the crew conducted excercises with the a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) in Mayport, Fla., where they trained in interdiction tactics. After the training, the crew steamed south to the Caribbean Basin, in an area known for narcotics trafficking. During 25 days of patrol in this area, a newly qualified watchstander on board spotted a small, fast-moving surface contact on the radar. The embarked HITRON helicopter launched and located a 40-ft. go-fast boat laden with narcotics and extra fuel drums. Before use-of-force tactics could be authorized, the go-fast headed back into territorial seas.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge recently approved the use of the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) for armed specialized missions in our nation's ports and waterways. "The use of Coast Guard HITRON for armed aerial patrols will increase the level of security in our ports, provide an additional layer of defense, ensure the continued safe flow of commerce and deter possible acts of terrorism on our nation's key ports," said Secretary Ridge. The Coast Guard has used HITRON helicopters and crews for drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean and southeast Pacific Ocean since August 1999.

Michael Carthew, President, Chevron Texaco Shipping and Dean Taylor, President and CEO, Tidewater Marine were elected to the ABS Board of Directors, by the ABS Council, following yesterday's Annual Members Meeting of the classification society in New York. General Dynamics announced the appointment of John F. "Dugan" Shipway, 60, as president of Bath Iron Works, reporting to Michael W. Toner, executive vice president of General Dynamics Marine Systems group. Shipway succeeds Allan C. Cameron, 57, who has announced his retirement. Cameron had been president of Bath Iron Works since 1996. Edwin W. Stephan, a founder and former longtime president and vice chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will retire from the Board of Directors following the company's May 20 annual meeting in Miami.