HITRON started as a “Proof of Concept” unit with the intention of fighting the war on drugs through the use of airborne force. This means that when a vessel has been suspected of smuggling drugs the HITRON helicopter is used to interdict the vessel and stop it by means of force.

HITRON became an operational unit in 2003.

HITRON is based out of Jacksonville, Florida, where Agusta Westland Inc, currently leases the MH-68A helicopters used in the AUF-CD mission. The contract is currently scheduled to end sometime in the beginning of Fiscal Year 2008. The Coast Guard is now ramping up to replace the MH-68A helicopters and Agusta Employees with the MH-65C helicopter and active duty CG personnel.

HITRON deployments typically take place in the eastern pacific or the Caribbean basin. When HITRON aircraft are deployed to the Pacific, they are loaded into the back of military transport aircraft and flown to the West Coast where they are reassembled for use. For Caribbean deployments, the HITRON crew fly to meet the ship someplace along the Eastern Seaboard of the US.

For enlisted personnel, a typical day back at Jacksonville involves weapon training at the range, as well as Airborne Use of Force weapons and judgmental training. When not training, each enlisted person is assigned collateral duties to fit the unit’s needs. Officer’s daily routine includes training flights, weapons training, and unit collateral duties.

An Agusta Technician’s daily routine consists of providing support for the training flights, as well as routine maintenance on the aircraft not deployed. There are three eight hour shifts each day providing 24 hour maintenance during a 40 hour work week.

Deployed duty rotation for the Agusta Technician depends on the “luck of the draw” from a hat at the first of the year when the Cutter schedule comes out. Enlisted and Officer personnel are typically deployed 90-120 days per year.