How Coast Guard pilots and sharpshooters leave drug boats dead in the water, from helicopter chases to shooting out the engines

"In the eastern Pacific and Caribbean waters, Coast Guard helicopter teams are chasing down suspected drug boats, putting vessels out of action, and setting the stage for boarding. The elite pilots and precision marksmen of the Helicopter Interdiction Squadron, or HITRON, have to be prepared for drug interdiction operations to go sideways. It could be night, the drug boat could be zigging and zagging everywhere trying to get away."

"Business Insider had the opportunity recently to see them in action, training for these missions, aimed at curbing the flow of dangerous narcotics into the US. "It's like running with ankle weights on," Lt. Com. Jamel Choker, a pilot and mission commander at HITRON, told Business Insider, speaking on the intensity of the training that goes into preparing for actual missions. "You want to train as hard as possible so that when you get out in the real world, it's kind of easier.""

HITRON helicopter teams operate in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean to chase suspected drug boats, disable vessels, and set conditions for boarding. Pilots and precision marksmen train intensely to adapt when missions go sideways, including nighttime chases, erratic boat maneuvers, and suspects jumping overboard. Teams must maintain pursuit and enable shooters to take decisive shots under pressure. Training is designed to make real operations feel less demanding. HITRON was established in 2003 at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, and has participated in over 1,000 interdictions yielding billions in seized drugs. Pilots arrive experienced but learn Coast Guard-specific helicopters like the MH-65 Dolphin, which follow a dedicated maintenance pipeline.

Read at Business Insider