[Scan-DC] Coast Guard's HITRON

[Mark Cobbeldick]

Posted on another list:




Message: 1
   Date: Sun, 18 May 2003 08:45:01 EDT
   From: AirFreq@aol.com
Subject: [FLACOM] Coast Guard's HITRON

Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical
Squadron (HITRON) to be formally commissioned

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Vice Admiral James Hull, Commander
of Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va., will
formally commission HITRON Jacksonville in a ceremony
at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 19 at the Cecil Commerce
Center (the former Cecil Field) in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical
Squadron is America's first, and only, airborne law
enforcement unit trained and authorized to employ
Airborne Use of Force. Recently, Department of
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge approved the use
of armed HITRON Jacksonville helicopters for
specialized security missions in the nation's ports
and waterways.

HITRON was initially given the mission of interdicting
and stopping drug-laden, high-speed vessels known as
"go-fasts" in the Caribbean, and more recently the
Eastern Pacific Ocean. The MH-68A helicopters employed
by HITRON are the newest helicopters in the U.S. Coast
Guard inventory and are capable of cruise speeds of up
to 140 knots. The actions of the men and women of
HITRON have been instrumental in stopping over 25 tons
of illegal drugs, worth over $1.5 billion dollars,
from reaching America's neighborhoods.

Due to HITRON's unique capabilities and training, the
unit was additionally tasked to develop Airborne Use
of Force tactics to counter possible terrorist threats
to the United States. HITRON stands ready to respond
in defense of our shores, ports and waterways. "HITRON
will be a highly effective tool available to the
leadership of the Homeland Security Department and the
U.S. Coast Guard in the continuing national effort to
prevent illegal drugs from entering the United States
and to prevent terrorism in our homeland" said Capt.
Walter Reger, Commanding Officer.

"The use of Coast Guard HITRON for armed patrols will
increase the level of security in our ports, provide
an additional layer of defense, ensure continued safe
flow of commerce and deter possible acts of terrorism
in our nation's key ports" said Secretary Ridge.


--

Al Marote
Vero Beach, Florida
AirFreq@aol.com


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