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A precision marksman assigned to the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) displays a recovered ammunition round used to disable the engine of a suspected drug smuggling vessel while underway aboard Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Aug. 31, 2025. On Aug. 25, HITRON used airborne use of force to stop the non-compliant vessel, marking the unit’s 1,000th drug interdiction since the unit’s inception in 1999, which resulted in Midgett crew members seizing approximately 3,606 pounds of suspected cocaine worth an estimated $46 million and apprehending six suspected narco-traffickers. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Sept. 10, 2025

Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron completes 1,000th interdiction

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) achieved a significant milestone in its counter-drug mission, completing its 1,000th interdiction of suspected narco-trafficking vessels Aug. 25. Since October 1, 2024, HITRON has interdicted $3.3 billion in illicit narcotics destined for the United States via maritime routes, a three-fold increase over its historic annual average of $1 billion.

220822-A-KS490-1178 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Aug. 22, 2022) From the left, U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144), USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146), USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) and USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) transit the Strait of Hormuz, Aug. 22. The cutters are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Martin)

Sept. 10, 2025

Coast Guard Exercises Contract Option for 10 Additional Fast Response Cutters

The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option with Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana, to fund initial construction on 10 additional Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), Tuesday. The $507 million option supports ongoing efforts to modernize the fleet and expand the Coast Guard’s global maritime mission.

Sept. 9, 2025

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard, partner agencies to discuss SAR exercise

HONOLULU — Media are invited to attend an open house at Coast Guard Base Honolulu and conduct interviews with Coast Guard and partner agency members, Wednesday.

Sept. 5, 2025

Coast Guard urges preparedness, caution ahead of Hurricane Kiko

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard urges residents and mariners to take precautions, heed weather warnings and stay safe as Hurricane Kiko is forecasted to impact the Hawaiian Islands Monday through Wednesday.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser’s crew transferred 27 aliens to The Bahamas, Wednesday. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine law enforcement crews notified Sector Miami command center watchstanders, Saturday, of an interdiction approximately 10 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Sept. 5, 2025

Coast Guard transfers 30 aliens to The Bahamas

MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser’s crew transferred 30 aliens to The Bahamas, Wednesday.

Baywatch Avalon tows disabled migrant vessel

Sept. 4, 2025

Coast Guard interdicts 11 aliens near Church Rock, Calif.

A Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach boat crew interdicted 11 suspected aliens aboard a panga-style vessel near Church Rock, California, Tuesday afternoon.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton (WMSL 753) boarding team interdicting two go-fast vessels suspected of drug smuggling approximately 115 miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, June 26, 2025. The vessels were initially detected by a maritime patrol aircraft, and Hamilton’s embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) aircrew provided airborne tactical support, resulting in the seizure of more than 4,475 pounds of cocaine. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Sept. 4, 2025

Coast Guard seizes 40,000 pounds of cocaine through Operation Pacific Viper, averages over 1,600 pounds interdicted per day

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday it has seized more than 40,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since launching Operation Pacific Viper in early August, averaging over 1,600 pounds interdicted daily.

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak conducts an overflight of a fishing vessel that ran aground in Izhut Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2025. The Coast Guard is responding to the diesel released from the vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

Sept. 3, 2025

Coast Guard responds to diesel spill near Kodiak, Alaska

The Coast Guard is responding to a diesel spill from a grounded fishing vessel in Izhut Bay, Wednesday. The fishing vessel Sea Ern ran aground Monday with three crewmembers aboard.

The China-flagged research vessel JIDI operates approximately 265 miles northwest of Utqiagvik, Alaska, September 2, 2025. The Coast Guard Arctic District deployed USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) to monitor and query the vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy Photo)

Sept. 3, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard bolsters surface presence and responds to 2 Chinese research vessels in the Arctic

JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard responded to two Chinese research ships operating offshore Alaska between Sunday and Tuesday.

A Coast Guard Station San Juan boat crew rescued two persons from the water, Monday, after their personal watercraft was overturned near Icacos Beach off Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Following the rescue both boaters were cited for negligent operations and for boating under the influence of alcohol. Coast Guard and partner law enforcement units supporting Operation Dry Water efforts during Labor Day Weekend in Puerto Rico conducted 54 boardings which resulted in the three cases of boating under the influence. (U.S. Coast Guard graphic)

Sept. 3, 2025

Coast Guard boat crew rescues 2 people during Operation Dry Water, following overturned personal watercraft near Fajardo, Puerto Rico

A Coast Guard Station San Juan boat crew rescued two persons from the water, Monday, after their personal watercraft was overturned near Icacos Beach off Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The rescue occurred during Coast Guard and partner agency Operation Dry Water efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this past Labor Day weekend. Coast Guard watchstanders received a report via a VHF Channel 16 radio communication of two people in distress following an overturned personal watercraft, Monday evening. Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement vessel and crew that was operating in the vicinity to render assistance. Once on scene, the Coast Guard crew embarked the two boaters and took the personal watercraft in tow to Las Croabas in Fajardo. Following the rescue, both persons were cited for negligent operations and for boating under the influence of alcohol.