Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) is the recipient of the 2018 Captain Marion Gus Shrode Aviation Safety Award. During the period of 01 June 2017 to 31 May 2018, HITRON’s efforts exemplified the four pillars of the Coast Guard’s Safety Management System (SMS): policy, promotion, assurance, and risk management; and embodied the Commandant’s guiding principles of ready, relevant and responsive. HITRON’s safety program distinguished themselves in a field of highly competitive and dedicated aviation safety professionals.

Over the past year, HITRON deployed over 1000 days aboard ship and completed six cutter aviation standardization visits. HITRON embraced the role of the aviation leader in ship-helo operations by tirelessly working to improve the effectiveness of cutters with deployed aviation assets. An example of this work was the creation of training by HITRON’s Safety Department. The training leveraged mishap lessons learned and structured risk management discussion to heighten cutter commands’ situational awareness and operational expertise.

Similarly, HITRON Safety Department analyses resulted in over 20 operational enhancing recommendations. Their reporting of ship-helo related hazards raised awareness and improved mission performance for both the afloat and aviation communities. Concurrently, HITRON improved the resiliency and readiness of members who were not deployed. The unit conducted a risk factors analysis to evaluate crew endurance management risk. The analysis demonstrated that nighttime training requirements were not compatible with conventional daytime work hours and the competing schedules were having a negative impact on work performance. In response, HITRON transitioned to a new work schedule and eliminated morning flights which improved both maintenance and training effectiveness. Additionally, HITRON implemented a human factors council, an effort that significantly bolstered command oversight and improved the focus of their members.

HITRON’s approach to promoting, educating, and advancing aviation safety at both the unit and enterprise level is highly deserving of the 2018 Captain Marion Gus Shrode Aviation Safety Award.