Secretary Mullin Meets with Coast Guard’s Elite Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron

WASHINGTON - On Monday, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin met with U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) in Jacksonville, where he was shown several demonstrations of the Coast Guard's elite airborne use of force capabilities.

Secretary Mullin was accompanied on his tour by Capt. Kent Reinhold, commanding officer of HITRON; Cmdr. Jon Magin, chief of personnel and support for HITRON; Cmdr. Chuck Arena, operations officer for HITRON; and Master Chief Travis Greenwood, command master chief for HITRON.

During his tour, Secretary Mullin participated in a demonstration of HITRON's Airborne Use of Force (AUF), displaying tactics, techniques, and procedures for intercepting non-compliant vessels engaged in illicit narcotics trafficking. He then witnessed an Offshore Live-Fire Gunnery Exercise, showcasing the precision aviation weapons systems that deliver disabling fire against targets of interest.

"The patriots of the United States Coast Guard are on the front lines of protecting our borders at sea and in the air," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "During my visit to HITRON in Jacksonville, I got to see firsthand the world-class training and equipment that our Coasties use to interdict drug vessels trying to smuggle dangerous drugs to our shores. Thanks to President Trump's leadership, our borders are stronger than ever before - by land, by sea, and by air. And it wouldn't be possible without the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard."

Secretary Mullin meets with Coast Guard personnel at Coast Guard Air Station Jacksonville

Secretary Mullin participates in a demonstration of HITRON's Airborne Use of Force

Secretary Mullin addresses Coast Guard personnel

Last week, Secretary Mullin toured the Coast Guard's Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) and Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

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