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Drug busting Royal Navy pilot honoured at White House for daring operation
1 September 2025
A Royal Navy pilot has been honoured at the White House for his role in stopping illegal drugs making their way into the United States.
Lieutenant Commander David “Bob” Fleming has been on exchange with the US Coast Guard since 2022, serving with the Helicopter Interdiction Squadron (HITRON) – at the forefront of the US’ war on drugs.
He is the first Royal Navy pilot to serve with the unit.
His contribution in flying a MH-65E Dolphin helicopter during two drugs busts saw him invited to Washington for the US Interdiction Coordinator (USIC) Awards Ceremony which recognise the extraordinary achievements of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers on the front lines of the nation’s fight against drug trafficking.
Lt Cdr Fleming was involved in stopping two vessels in quick succession smuggling narcotics in an operation which involved a complex mix of aircraft and boats and resulted in the seizing more than 3000kg of cocaine, worth nearly $100m on the street.
He said: “We were invited to the executive side of the White House and it was very special. It’s amazing with the history of the White House so although I didn’t see the Oval Office, it was still special.
“We got a tour and to see the libraries and the architecture around it.”
He added: “The awards at the White House were presented by Special Advisor Sarah Carter and US Interdiction Coordinator Shannon Kelly. They were very passionate about everything that goes on and we were acknowledged for what we do and the successes.”
Lt Cdr Fleming and his aircrew were launched from the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro in March 24 to intercept two targets travelling at high speed.
The vessels were tracked by the cutter’s uncrewed drone and appeared to be loaded with nondescript bales.
The entire team that were honoured for getting this operation done in challenging circumstances.
“We managed to stop two in a very short space of time and distance and that’s where they recognised the professionalism from the boat and the teams on board the helicopter,” Bob said.
“So it’s not just me, it’s the entire team that were honoured for getting this operation done in challenging circumstances.
“The drug boats were a bit more experienced than usual so we were really having to push the Dolphin helicopter to its limits.
“And in fact, we ended up flying backwards at one point to take some shots at the engines. It was an interesting one and we and the team worked really well.”
The award citation noted: “The courage, experience and operational skill of HIT 24-10 and the USCG cutter Munro thwarts these experience narco-traffickers, despite their knowledge of counter-drug tactics.
“Their efforts resulted in the interdiction of 3,274kg of cocaine worth $99m in street value.
“HIT 24-10 exemplified HITRON’s motto “Force from Above”, and served as the bulwark for the United States against the flow of illicit narcotics that poison our citizens and destabilise the western hemisphere.”
Lt Cdr Fleming joined the Royal Navy in 2002 after flying in the Royal Air Force Reserves for five years. He became a navy pilot in 2003, starting off in a Lynx, progressing to the current Wildcat when it retired.
During Lt Cdr Fleming’s time with the USCG, he has gone from trainee to instructor and deployed six times with 18 at-sea interdictions – over $1bn worth of illegal drugs.
He is due to return to the UK next year.