DynamicFront

Dynamic Front

The next iteration of exercise Dynamic Front takes place from Nov. 4-24, 2024 in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania. It demonstrates NATO’s ability to share fire missions, target information, and operational graphics from the Arctic to the Black Sea.
The exercise increases the lethality of the Alliance through long-distance fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverages host nation capabilities to increase USARUER-AF’s operational reach. Dynamic Front is planned to include more than 1,800 U.S. and 3,700 multi-national service members from 28 Allied and partner nations.

Please send media inquiries to the 56th Artillery Command Public Affairs Office at: usarmy.wiesbaden-germany.56-atry-cmd.mbx.pao@army.mil.

For photos, video and news of Dynamic Front visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/DynamicFront

Video by Courtesy

HITRON History Series: JD Lawrence, Petty Officer 1st Class, USCG (Ret)

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

Nov. 4, 2021 | 3:00

In this documentary series, we spoke with JD Lawrence, Aviation Maintenance Technician Petty Officer 1st Class, USCG (Ret). Lawrence retired with over 26 years of military service and became a gunner when Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) began nighttime operations.

Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron 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