|
|
| News Release |
Date: Contact: |
| Jacksonville based Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron gets new commander |
|
Note: Media are invited to attend this important ceremony. Please RSVP to Michael Hulme as soon as possible to confirm attendance. HITRON is located at 13520 Aerospace Way Cecil Field hanger 13 Jacksonville, Fl 32221. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Squadron (HITRON), America's first and only airborne law enforcement unit trained and authorized to employ airborne use of force, will hold a change-of-command ceremony, Friday June 19 at 10 a.m. Capt. Joseph T. Baker will assume the command of over 70 personnel and eight armed MH-68A stingray helicopters from Capt. Edward W. Greiner at the HITRON facility at Cecil Field in Jacksonville. Capt. Baker comes to HITRON after serving as Chief of Aeronautical Engineering at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Captain Baker was Program Manager for the 1,400 employee Aviation Logistics Center which supports maintenance and logistics for the Coast Guard's entire fleet of more than 200 aircraft. In this capacity, he was directly responsible for budget management of accounts totaling more than $670 million in aviation acquisition and operating funds, and served as Workforce Manager for the 2,500 member aviation enlisted workforce. Captain Greiner assumed command of HITRON Jacksonville in July, 2006, as the squadron was preparing to transition from the leased Agusta MH-68A to the Coast Guard-owned MH-65C helicopter. In the last three years, the squadron has tripled in personnel strength and doubled in facility size while maintaining operational continuity. HITRON uses automatic weapons and precision sniper rifles to disable the engines on boats known as go-fasts. Go-fasts are high-speed cigar boats that drug smugglers use to transport drugs to the U.S. through the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The aerial law enforcement mission has been a hugely successful weapon in the war on drugs. Since its creation only six years ago, crews have stopped over 140 tons of illegal, U.S.-bound narcotics from reaching the streets, which has cost drug dealers, smugglers and cartels over $8 billion and led to hundreds of arrests. HITRON was tasked to develop airborne use of force tactics to counter possible terrorist threats to the U.S. following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The unit has been called upon to conduct homeland security operations for national security events such as the G-8 summit, the Democratic National Convention, the Republican National Convention and counter narcotic patrols. For biographys of Capt. Baker and Capt. Greiner click here.
|
|
### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future. |
printer friendly