Stacy Hayes '91, is a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is currently serving as Helicopter Aircraft Commander aboard the USS Bataan. AlumNotes asked Stacy to email our SCPS family about the work she’s doing. Her reply, written on January 17, 2002, follows:
Dear SCPS:
Right now I’m in Afghanistan fighting this war on terrorism. I’ve been here for 31 days so far and it just keeps getting colder!
All is going well here and the folks back home should be proud. We are really making some progress over here and the Afghans are very thankful and supportive of the efforts. The living conditions are tough. At first we were sleeping in the back of our helicopters—no electricity, no plumbing, no heat, no hot food, etc. As rudimentary as you can imagine - after all, this is a third world country.
Now that the airfield has been reinforced and the Army has begun to arrive, we have things like lights and hot showers—but you have to share these with such large numbers of people that it is still a rarity.
As for my job, I fly CH-46E’s, which are affectionately known as "Phrogs." These are twin rotor head helicopters and were heavily utilized in Viet Nam. I am younger than all of the helicopters that I fly.
Our missions include troop transport into the landing zones, insertion of special operations teams, embassy evacuations, tactical recovery of personnel and aircraft, movement of logistics to the front line and external load lifts. It’s a very versatile helicopter and honestly the tasks are endless.
I would love to get email from SCPS students or alumni - it would be a highlight of my day! I might not be able to respond right away—again sharing with an entire base of people—but I’ll get back as quickly as I can. Have a great day back in Savannah!!! Wish I could be there!
Semper Fidelis,
Stacy Hayes ‘91, Captain, USMC
HMM-365 REIN, 26th MEU FWD
AFGHANISTAN
hayessk@26meu.usmc.mil
Stacy Hayes '91, is a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is currently serving as Helicopter Aircraft Commander aboard the USS Bataan. AlumNotes asked Stacy to email our SCPS family about the work she’s doing. Her reply, written on January 17, 2002, follows:
