01-Feb-03 - AgustaWestland signed a contract for a continuation of its U.S. Coast Guard HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron) program. Eight A109, as MH-68A, used since 2000 from Jacksonville, Florida
22-Mar-02 - The U.S. Coast Guard's first patrols using tough new tactics employing armed MH-68s, a dedicated version of the twin-engine Agusta A109 Power helicopter, scored a perfect three busts in three attempts against drug-laden speedboats bound for U.S. shores. The U.S. Coast Guard’s three interdictions netted a combined total of more than 13,000 pounds of cocaine along with several arrests.