Out of This World

Video by Cmdr. Ace Castle

HITRON History Series: Richard Bates, Capt. USCG (Ret)

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

March 8, 2021 | 3:01

In this documentary series, we spoke with Richard Bates, Capt. USCG (Ret). Bates was the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) platform manager for Coast Guard headquarters aviation forces during the transition from the Augusta MH-68 to the MH-65 Dolphin. Playing an instrumental part in standing up the HITRON safety program, he was the recipient of the Captain Marion “Gus” Shrode Flight Safety Award and an instructor pilot during his time as a HITRON line pilot from 2000-2003. Bates also managed the HITRON program at the area level as chief of aviation forces for Atlantic Area.

HITRON 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: Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton
Edited by: Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton