BASH

Twinkle, a 19-year old European eagle owl, stretches her five-foot wings for owner Keith Mutton and Master Sgt. Bob Kopecky at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, on July 27. Mr. Mutton owns and operates Phoenix Bird Control Services, a company helping the base run its bird aircraft strike hazard program. The aim is to rid the base of birds that pose bird strike problems for aircraft operating from there. The sergeant, from White Bear Lake, Wisc., is NCO in charge of flight safety for the 100th Air Refueling Wing. Mr. Mutton uses the seven-pound owl to chase away birds that set down at the base at night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)

BASH

Goldie, a 9-year-old lanner hawk, launched from a moving van driven by Keith Mutton to chase away unwanted birds at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, on July 27. Mr. Mutton owns and operates Phoenix Bird Control Services, a company helping the base run its bird aircraft strike hazard program. The aim is to rid the base of birds that pose bird strike problems for aircraft operating from there. The Moroccan lanner can launch from Mr. Mutton's arm at up to 40 miles per hour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)

BASH

Goldie, a lanner hawk; Chipper, a Harris Hawk; and Hurricane, an American kestrel rest on their perches until they are called to duty scaring birds away at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, on July 27. The birds belong to Phoenix Bird Control Services a company helping the base run its bird aircraft strike hazard program. The aim is to rid the base of birds that pose bird strike problems for aircraft operating from there. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)