BASH program teamwork protects Travis jets from bird strikes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  Bird strikes are a major concern for Air Force bases. They cost the Air Force more than $53 million in fiscal 2004 and $21 million in 2005. Even though the total cost showed a decrease in 2005, the total number of bird strikes reported by aircrew and aircraft maintenance members continues to rise each year.

There is a significant bird hazard at Travis due in part to the close proximity of the base to several wildlife refuges and the presence of landfills near both ends of the runways.

This is where the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program comes into play.

The 60th Air Mobility Wing flight safety office has worked hard over the past couple of years to build a strong and effective program for Travis.

Some Air Force bases use firearms to try and scare local birds off the runway. Others use large cannons or pyrotechnics. Travis, along with only a few other bases, uses what may be considered to be the most permanent solution of all: falcons.

“Most birds have a natural fear of falcons,” said Mr. Mike Bierman, a master falconer with the World Bird Sanctuary and caregiver for the falcons on base. “The silhouette of a falcon is something that is genetically burned into the memory of birds. Falcons are one of the few birds of prey that normally feed on other birds instead of ground game."

“These birds know if there is a falcon in the air, it’s time to leave,” he said.

The use of falcons and other methods of deterrence has had a significant impact on the bird strikes at Travis. Bird strikes in 2005 were 58 percent lower than the monthly averages of the 10 years prior to the falcons’ arrival.

The safety office is still working to reduce that by focusing on the large seagull populations at the local landfills.

“We’ve just recently begun to work at the local landfills to reduce the number of seagulls that feed there,” Mr. Bierman said. “These landfills are right in the flight path of the base.” The use of falconry is considered to be an active tactic within the BASH program. The safety office is also working with other units on base to improve the passive part of the program.

“Passive techniques are more permanent methods to discourage birds from using the airfield by removing attractive habitat features,” said Master Sgt. Robert Gabriel, Travis BASH manager.

To discourage nesting, netting is being put under some of the base's bridges.  The safety office is also working with airfield management to place bird spikes on airfield signs commonly used as perches by red-tailed hawks. Also, the grass around the airfield is kept short.

“The most important thing I have learned is that reducing bird strikes is a team effort,” Sergeant Gabriel said. “The program would not be successful without the help and support of wing leadership and key organizations such as the 60th Operations Support Squadron, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, 60th and 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons and Pride Industries.”

While the safety office attributes a large portion of the success to the falconers, it is hard to assign hard numbers to them. For those who were able to observe the airfield prior to the falcons’ arrival, however, it is easy to see the difference.

“When we first arrived here, there were parts of the runway that were solid white with seagulls,” Mr. Bierman said. “This year, we’ve only seen a handful of seagulls out on the runway.”

“For anyone who has had the pleasure to observe the falcons at work, it’s clear they get the job done,” Sergeant Gabriel said.