CUSTOMER CASE STUDY WRITING

Beyond the banks of the Albemarle Sound, over the deep waters of the Atlantic, somewhere west of Bermuda, an HH-60 Jayhawk surges through the midnight sky. By day, the black beak and crimson stripe and tail of the medium-range recovery helicopter contrast boldly with its white body, and as it darts above the ocean at 180 knots, a spectator sees only a blur of red, white and blue - the colors of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the country it serves. But here in the night, the sea mist obscures all 65 feet of the mighty Jayhawk, save the long-range spotlight it aims into the tumultuous waves.

The two pilots spot their objective after moments of searching: a capsized yacht that drifted too far into the storm. Signaling the crew, the pilots slow to a hover above the sinking vessel. From behind the cockpit, the rescue swimmer dives into the cold depths as the hoist operator prepares the lift. The survivors are hauled to safety one by one. Once aboard and secure, the Jayhawk distances itself from the ocean and ascends once more into the clouded night sky. The war of the waves had ended, and tonight the Coast Guard has won.

For the USCG, successes such as these rely on years of disciplined training, a dedication and drive toward superior teamwork, and a deep respect for the weather and the water. However, beyond the aptitude of the crew, a successful mission depends upon safe, reliable aircraft parts.