The Long Blue Line (Summer 2022)

LCDR Stewart Dietrick †
(1960-2022)
Prosper, TX
From September 1998 through March 2000,
a team of 14 selected Coast Guard aviators—nine
pilots and five flight mechanics—were tasked with
developing and testing new equipment, tactics and
procedures to bring about a non-lethal use of force
concept against go-fast boats. During the 18-month
period, the team used all-weather MH-90 helicopters
that integrated lethal and non-lethal technology,
along with state-of-the-art sensors, night vision
devices, and communications equipment to develop
what the Coast Guard called “highly aggressive and
effective offensive and defensive tactics never before
attempted by rotary wing aircraft.”
One of those innovative aviators, Stewart Dietrick, was
killed in April 2022 when a Mercy Flight helicopter
crashed in Elba, TX.
Throughout his Coast Guard career LCDR Dietrick
was well known among his peers as a consummate
flight instructor, a true professional aviator, and a
highly respected mentor. As one of the forwardleaning
aviation pioneers, Stu, as his friends knew
him, quickly mastered flying the non-standard
McDonald Douglas MH-90 helicopters. Dietrick
assisted in instructing and qualifying other pilots
on the team and skillfully completed ship-to-helo
dynamic interface testing. These exercises led to
Dietrick’s involvement in developing joint aviationsurface
tactics with the crews of Coast Guard Cutters
GALLATIN and SENECA over several hundred
deck landings. As part of the Airborne Use of Force
Concept, Stu integrated a mix of lethal and non-lethal
technologies along with state-of-the-art sensors and
communications equipment and developed highly
aggressive offensive and defensive tactics never
before attempted by U.S. Coast Guard rotary wing
aircraft.
Along with other HITRON pilots and aerial
gunners, Dietrick completed a series of operational
deployments, titled Operation New Frontier, to
evaluate this new concept. These unprecedented
missions successfully interdicted six drug smuggling
vessels, apprehended 20 drug smugglers, and
seized 11,710 pounds of marijuana and 3,014
pounds of cocaine.
Stu’s integral role with the original HITRON-10 Proof of
Concept Team has had a significant transformational
effect over the past two decades with Coast Guard
Aviation and the entire Service. His demonstrated
superior performance and outstanding operational
achievement were recognized with induction into the
Coast Guard Aviation Association Hall of Honor.
Visit longblueline.org to see a video of LCDR Dietrick
sharing his memories about standing up HITRON-10.
36 SUMMER 2022
THE LONG BLUE LINE