Courtesy Video | U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District | 06.26.2025
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton (WMSL 753) boarding team interdicting two go-fast vessels suspected of drug smuggling southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, June 26, 2025. The vessels were initially detected by a maritime patrol aircraft, and Hamilton’s embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) aircrew provided airborne tactical support, resulting in the seizure of......
Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Vincent Moreno | U.S. Coast Guard Heartland District | 10.06.2024
The Jacksonville Jaguars recognized members from the U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) for their service during a home game, Oct. 6 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The HITRON aircrew performed a flyover and returned to the stadium on the field for their recognition. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Vincent Moreno)...
Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg | U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District | 08.23.2024
Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) conduct an offload of nearly $50 million in illegal narcotics in Port Everglades, Florida, Aug. 23, 2024. The offload is a result of suspected drug smuggling interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)...
Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez | U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District | 10.26.2023
Crewmembers of the Coast Guard Cutter James assist with the offload of nearly $445 million in illegal drugs in Port Everglades, Florida, Oct 26, 2023. The offload is a result of suspected drug smuggling interdictions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez.)...
Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton | U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area | 06.03.2021
In this documentary series, we spoke with Mike Campbell, Capt. USCG. Campbell was the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron’s first aviation engineer officer from 2001 to 2005, and HITRON’s Commanding Officer from 2017 to 2020. This is part one of a two part interview with Campbell. Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron operations started as an experiment in 1998 to halt the......
Video by Cmdr. Ace Castle | U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area | 06.03.2021
In this documentary series, we spoke with Mike Campbell, Capt. USCG. Campbell was the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron’s first aviation engineer officer from 2001 to 2005, and HITRON’s Commanding Officer from 2017 to 2020. This is part two of a two part interview with Campbell. Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron operations started as an experiment in 1998 to halt the......
Courtesy Video | U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area | 05.21.2021
In this documentary series, we spoke with Chief Warrant Officer Todd Floyd. Floyd played a vital role in standing up the Tactical Training Boat Team (TTB) proof of concept at the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. TTBs are used to simulate go-fast boats for HITRON aircrews to train with. HITRON operations started as an experiment in 1998 to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the......
Video by Cmdr. Ace Castle | U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area | 05.20.2021
In this documentary series, we spoke with Tony Tangeman, retired captain. Tangeman was the chief of law enforcement for the Coast Guard and the project manager for the proof of concept team that determined the Coast Guard could use helicopters to stop go-fasts. This project led to the formation of the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. HITRON operations started as an experiment in......
