Safety experts spearhead efforts to minimize bird strikes
Tech. Sgt. Shane Sweeney fires off pyrotechnic "screamers" to ward off birds nesting in an area near the flightline as Lt. Col. Charles Wallace watches March 29 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The seven-member team of safety experts here patrol hot spots around the airfield's flightline to minimize the threat of bird strikes on the various aircraft taking off and landing. In addition to bird hazards, the safety experts also have to monitor and control jackals that are occasionally sited in the area. Sergeant Sweeney is a 455th Air Expeditionary Wing weapons safety member. Colonel Wallace is the 455th AEW chief of safety.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)