BASH focuses on preservation, conservation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program maintains around-the-clock surveillance of Eielson Air Force Base to protect people and assets from dangers posed by wildlife.

BASH helps preserve the mission at Eielson by keeping aircraft in the sky through proper manning and equipment. One of the biggest challenges is preventing and anticipating mishaps with a small team.

The 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office and the majority of airfield management are trained to disperse wildlife on the airfield, said Capt. David Anderson, Chief of flight safety. Additional support comes from civilian agencies.

"We have USDA Wildlife Service personnel working with us; they help provide manning 24 hours a day and seven days a week during the periods of highest bird activity," Captain Anderson said.

Eielson is located in an area of Alaska that serves as a pit stop for a high concentration of migratory birds. Primarily concerned with birds, BASH handles more than just waterfowl and ravens. The program also deals with an abundance of ground wildlife.

"Essentially our job is mitigating the danger to flight operations from both birds and wildlife on the air field, which is tough in Alaska because we have a lot of both," said Captain Anderson.

Mammals found on the airfield include wolves, dogs, coyotes, squirrels, rabbits, and weasels, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Stavesky, 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office, flight safety NCO.

Sergeant Stavesky underlined how properly operating equipment used to disperse wildlife on the air field was fundamental in the BASH program.

"USDA uses everything, including cracker shells, a shotgun shell with just the noise not the projectile," said Captain Anderson. "Birds recognize the sound because they are hunted, plus it scares them so they won't come back."

The majority of dispersal methods rely on noise, which helps BASH be successful and keeps an active role in the conservation of the flora and fauna on base. This method depends greatly on the wildlife trying to be dispersed; the taking down of any wildlife is a last resort for BASH, according to Sergeant Stavesky.

One way to avoid harming wildlife is to protect the flight line. Securing gates that have been blown open or replacing gates in need of repairs ensures wildlife stays out of the exclusion zones, or areas that BASH disperses wildlife.

"Although, we've never had a moose get hit on the airfield, just by making sure the gates are closed we've reduced the moose incursions on the airfield from 414 to 53. That's about a 730 percent decrease," said Captain Anderson.

When individuals on Eielson keep a watchful eye and are vigilant against these potential risks, they help BASH stay one step ahead in the prevention of mishaps. The base has a dedicated hotline 377-BIRD for those on base who observe disturbances that BASH may resolve. Observers can assist by immediately reporting threats to aircraft and other assets that may interrupt or interfere with the Air Force mission.

Captain Anderson and Sergeant Stavesky stressed the importance of every servicemember doing their part to reduce safety mishaps by emphasizing the influence one individual can have in responding to threats.