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Manas BASH program takes to wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jerome Baysmore
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan --  Bird strikes are a major concern for the Air Force and Manas base leadership have turned to a different version of the fighting falcon to keep the airfield clear.

One of an aviator's best friends on Manas AB is a luger falcon named Mustang, and it's the fist of its type in the area of responsibility to bolster the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program here.

"We use the falcon against other birds," said Capt. Derek Rhinesmith, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Safety. "He circles above the airfield and scares away potential threats to aircraft. It's very effective."

Mustang flies at daybreak and dusk hours to help clear the airspace around Manas Air Base for aircraft launching and recovering here in support of operations in Afghanistan. Mr. Steve Farrell, PhoenixBird lead contractor and Mustang's trainer, said the falcon is a natural fit.

"Mustang is part of the BASH program because falcons scare off other birds," he said. "Falcons are natural predators and other birds around are genetically designed to respond to that because they've been chased by birds like him for millions of years."

Mr. Farrell has over 20 years experience working with birds, and he's trained the slightly more than two pound falcon to launch from and return to his vehicle.

"The methods we use compliment each other," he said. "We use gas canisters and pyrotechnics that make a loud noise to scare the birds, and Mustang is trained to fly out the vehicle, chase off the birds and we can recall him back to the vehicle--it can all be done within a short amount of time, and as far as I know, we're the first ones in the AOR doing this."

Mr. Farrell said after a year with Mustang and the BASH program, most of the migratory birds near Manas AB already know his vehicle and most fly away when they spot him driving around. But Mustang adds another aspect to the program because he poses as an "air to air threat" much like the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Most birds have a natural fear of falcons," he said. "Falcons are one of the few birds of prey that normally feed on other birds and the crows, rooks, kites and swallows in the area know it's time to leave when Mustang is flying."