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 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. The 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.
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: Chief Petty Officer Brandyn Hill and Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon (District 11)
Edited by: Petty Officer 1st Class Alissa Blackburn (PADET Kodiak)
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