[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION TO THE MEMBERS OF HITRON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2007

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Joint 
Interagency Task Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard drug interdiction 
forces for their role in seizing more than 43,420 pounds of cocaine 
during operations over the last several months in the Pacific. In 
particular, I would like to commend the Jacksonville based Coast Guard 
Helicopter Tactical Interdiction Squadron, HITRON, for their critical 
role in missions which intercepted 8,850 pounds of cocaine that was 
headed for our Nation's shores. These actions represent a crucial 
victory in keeping drugs off our streets, out of our schools, and away 
from our children.
  HITRON is the Coast Guard's premier airborne law enforcement unit 
trained and authorized to employ Airborne Use of Force. With an 
historic record of success, HITRON consists of eight leased 
AgustaWestland MH-68A StingRay helicopters. These helicopters are 
extremely fast and maneuverable, and they are armed and cutter-
deployable. They have proven very effective at intercepting the go-fast 
boats favored by drug runners on both coasts.
  Prior to HITRON, drug runners would simply ignore our orders to cease 
and desist.
  HITRON now has the ability to shoot out the engines of these drug 
boats, preventing them from reaching our shores. During a House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing the Commandant 
of the Coast Guard told me that HITRON is batting a thousand--every 
time the HITRON aircraft went after a go-fast drug boat it had stopped 
the drug runners cold.
  America is continuing to fight the war on drugs, and these are the 
kinds of successes we need to win. For their contributions the HITRON 
unit has a lot to be proud of, and our Nation owes them a great debt of 
gratitude.

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