Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/16/2009

Question
I am interested in being a marksmen but in the USCG. My brother is a
gunnersmate and knows that there are indeed snipers within the USCG but
doesn't know how they obtain that position. ive seen a few marksmen in the
USCG that shoot out boat motors from the air in a helicopter and thats what
got me started!

Thanks

Answer
Randy,
The Coast Guard has what they call "designated marksmen" who use the RC50 laser-sighted .50 caliber Barrett precision sniper rifle.  Their job is to shoot out the engines of smuggling ships and boats, not an easy job considering the target is bouncing in the waves and they're shooting from a hovering helicopter, moving with the wind.  There are only 8 of these marksmen in the entire USCG.   The marksmen are usually award-winning marksmen with several competition victories or world-class Olympic marksmen before they entered the USCG.

These marksmen are assigned to a Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), an elite team based in Jacksonville, Florida, tasked with tracking down and attacking cocaine shipments from South America.  Since the Navy cannot legally open fire on civilian boats that refuse to stop, they call in HITRON, the only U.S. military unit authorized to shoot out the boats’ motors.  This prevents a bloodbath and explanations to politicians.  HITRON crews forward deploy aboard Coast Guard cutters for 30-60 day deployments, and  are typically deployed about 120 days a year total.

For more information, you can write to:
Commanding Officer
USCG HITRON Jacksonville
13520 Aerospace Way
Cecil Field Hangar 13
Jacksonville, FL 32221