Fowl-netting protects aircraft

SOUTHWEST ASIA - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works with Air Force safety teams around the globe to assist in limiting the presence of birds around airfields to protect aircraft against bird strikes, an issue that costs the Air Force millions of dollars in damage per year. At an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, a USDA team has taken a system for catching birds, used at a few stateside installations in the Air Force, and created one fitted for use one of the busiest aerial port within the U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s area of operation. USDA wildlife biologist Ted Pepps designed a drop net system for this area of operations and worked with the base’s combat metals shop to build it. “The drop net is a mass capture device,” said Pepps. It allows for the capture of more birds in a shorter amount of time. The 15- by 15-foot net is between electromagnets powered by a car battery. The operator drops the net flat to the ground on unsuspecting birds using a remote control with a range up to about a football field. Once captured, the birds are humanely removed from the area. (Source: 386th Air Expeditionary Wing 08/21/18) Gulf Coast Note: A pair of wildlife biologists at Eglin AFB, Fla., is tasked with carrying out the Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard program (BASH). The duo work in the Air Armament Safety Office and in conjunction with the 46th Test Wing, and other agencies, to help eliminate wildlife threats on Eglin and its ranges, which includes Duke Field and the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. A small bird sucked into an engine can cause severe damage to the aircraft and potentially the loss of life. At Hurlburt Field, Fla., BASH consists of a biologist and a border collie to help patrol and prevent collisions with aircraft and wildlife that might be on the flightline. The BASH program is operational at Columbus AFB, Miss., and Gunshy auxiliary airfield at Shuqualak, Miss. Aside from documenting where the birds are, BASH works to manipulate the environment to make it less bird-friendly by creating non-lethal ways to scare birds away from airfields using small propane cannons.