BASH program protects birds big, small

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Hines
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Former crew chief, Master Sgt. Corey Stewart, 31st Fighter Wing safety office, has seen firsthand the damage a bird-strike can cause to an F-16 Fighting Falcon, and vise versa.

"As a crew chief, and especially as a production superintendant, I know I can't use that jet now because it ate a bird," said Stewart of the complications that come from bird aircraft strikes.

Known as the bird airstrike hazard plan, or BASH for short, each base in the Air Force works to reduce and prevent large wildlife habitats from forming around flightlines to protect both aircraft and bird from lethal contact.

Bird airstrikes present more of a risk than temporarily grounding an aircraft for repairs, according to Stewart.

"Typically the engine is ok, it's built to withstand a pretty good impact," said Stewart. "But at the same time the engine is built off of a lot of cooling principles, all it takes is a little bit of anything - say, a bird. That little piece in the wrong place blocking a little bit of cooling air and you'll have a burn through, which presents much bigger problems for the pilot."

For Stewart, taking over the BASH initiative opened his eyes to the vast array of bird habitats around the base, which can affect any aircraft taking off or landing at Aviano Air Base.

"It's a lot bigger program than what I thought. We work with civil engineers, base operations, entomology and other units," said Stewart.

Looking at roofs, unused buildings, trash collection points, and various areas around the flightline, Stewart surveys the base, making note of bird and animal habitats that could attract more wildlife.

The best weapons Stewart has are prevention and deterrence, with a few unlikely friends on his side.

"We know we have a few hawks living somewhere on base, but they actually help us deter a lot of the other birds," said Stewart. "We're getting all the benefits of them living here, because when they come out, everything else is gone.

With a watchful eye Stewart examines the small details on base that attract wildlife, such as grass height and even the type of bird that might be around.

"For grass, the optimum height is 7 to14 inches. It provides a little bit of cover so the birds feel protected and their not prone to fly away when an aircraft or car goes by, the point is to keep them down, said Stewart. "Anything longer than that is bad, because it can start to produce seed, which attracts more birds."

The base uses the assistance of strategically placed "BASH cannons," as deterence which are more humane than their name would suggest.

Operating from solar power, the cannons provide blast sound without the blast, scaring off wildlife before an aircraft takes to the runway.

"Every day that we fly they fire them off," he said.

Stewart also advises Airmen to do their part in ensuring wildlife doesn't nest on base by securing trash and food. By doing this, wildlife will be less likely to keep coming back for food and shelter.