Commander prepares to retire, ready to start down new path

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  During the fast-paced, sometimes chaotic life of a base commander, it's the quiet moments that are the most cherished. For Col. Stacy L. Yike, 66th Air Base Group commander, those are the moments she enjoys and takes time to reflect on as her retirement draws near.

Yike will hand over command May 21 after more than 20 years of service. As she looks back on her Air Force career and her tenure at Hanscom, she thinks about the many accomplishments and changes of the base in the past two years.

When Yike first took the reins in June of 2010, it was a time of transition. In her first day alone, she experienced the reorganization of the electronic systems wings to directorates and the transition of the 66th Air Base Wing to a group. On another day that same week, she held a commander's call, comforted the family of a fallen hero and then attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters building.

"It's hard to explain the sheer magnitude of change that happens on an hourly basis," Yike said. "You have to go from counseling an Airman to cheering on a community crowd and talking about the great mission going on at Hanscom. One minute you are coining an Airman, the next you are working a budget brief to finds the funds to execute our mission -- and that's by lunch."

After lunch, she has to do it all over again.

"It's tough to change your mindset that quickly, but you remember that the issue at hand requires your full attention and your best effort," she said. "I never have a dull day."

Yike also points to the opportunity to engage with the local communities during her time at Hanscom. From inducting new honorary commanders, to attending local chamber of commerce meetings, she has formed relationships with local town leaders and communicated the mission of the base with substantive discussions.

One example is the Electronic Systems Center Showcase held last August. The entire base community, as well as local town leaders, were invited to experience the mission of ESC firsthand.

"The ability of the base to come together and showcase all the great missions was phenomenal," she said. "It was a great learning experience for the base population and the community."

During her tour at Hanscom, Yike was also able to experience the unique New England culture.

"I was able to experience a POW Day at the state house and a Memorial Day ceremony there," she said. "I stood on the North Bridge with the (66 ABG annual) award winners. I attended two Patriots' Day reenactments. I really had the opportunity to experience history right here where it started.

"And there's nothing quite like standing at Fenway Park on the Fourth of July with the Airmen and the huge American flag draped over the Green Monster. The planes flew overhead, the crowd cheered. What an amazing opportunity."

Transition is ultimately a part of the life of a military member, and Yike is confident the next commander will pick up where she left off and move forward with the 66 ABG mission.

"The group won't miss a beat," she said. "The great work by all the 66th Air Base Group will continue on...Team Hanscom knows how to get it done."

All of this is evidenced by some of the accomplishments of the last two years. For example, the privatized housing construction projects are complete and the occupancy rate is 94 percent, according to Yike. Civil engineering has also executed millions of dollars worth of energy projects.

"The Minuteman Commons is another success story," she said. "We were bleeding money in the club under the old model and the Air Force today cannot afford a non-sustainable facility. Now, we're continuing to provide a facility in Services with a different cost model. It took a lot of unique efforts of the team to come up with the process.

"We are now seeing Air Force-wide changes to the Air Force Clubs based on what we did here at Hanscom. We still have a lot to learn, but the innovation of the FSS (66th Force Support Squadron) team to come up with this approach and the support the base has given to this project shows we're on the right track."

Now as Yike transitions from this work to civilian life in Virginia, she'll be able to have more quiet moments.

"I'm taking the summer off and reintegrating with family," she said. "I want to catch up with friends and loved ones that I haven't seen over the past two years."

After some downtime, Yike plans to look for a leadership role in a non-profit organization that supports underserved youth.

"I have a passion for these kids," she said. "Children are a victim of their circumstances. For those of us fortunate enough to be born into a stable family that can provide good health and good education, the opportunities are endless. Not every child is born into those circumstances. I want to help our young people find their path to being productive Americans. I want to make a difference."

She's excited about learning a whole new business and feels like her military career will serve her well in the future.

"I'll be branching out into a whole new path," she said. "But then again, that's what I've done my entire career. I'm ready."