Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron

Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron
HITRON insignia
Active1998–Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Coast Guard
TypeHelicopter Squadron
RoleAirborne Use of Force
Nickname(s)HITRON
Motto(s)"Force from above"
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMH-65D

The Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) is an armed United States Coast Guard helicopter squadron specializing in Airborne Use of Force (AUF) and drug-interdiction missions. It is based at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida.[1]

HITRON flew armed Agusta MH-68A Stingray helicopters from December 2000[2] until February 2008. At that time, HITRON took on the mantle of the Atlantic Area Deployment Center, and began flying the MH-65C Dolphin.[3] The unit was formally commissioned in 1998 and as of March 2017 it had interdicted over 500 vessels resulting in seizures totalling over US$16.7 billion.[4]