Airmen from seven bases across the country partnered with Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., civil engineers to accomplish the annual Bird/Wildlife Air Strike Hazard mission, which began in March and is expected to be completed in June.

Known as BASH, the program exists to deter wildlife from nesting in areas where they can pose a threat to the flying mission. This year’s project focused on the removal of mud, water, and vegetative growth around the perimeter of the base.

“Due to the large scale of the project, we came here to support the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron,” said SSgt Darrell Osborne, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron construction and pavement journeyman. “Working as one team, we get the opportunity to train and work together with Luke on this project to make the airfields safe.”

Airmen from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Fairchild AFB, Wash., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., Travis AFB, Calif., Schriever AFB, Colo., Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., traveled to Luke to assist the 56th CES with the project.

Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland

An excavator works to remove sludge May 30, 2017 in Glendale, Az. Airmen from Ellsworth AFB, S.C., Fairchild AFB, Wash., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., Travis AFB, Calif., Schriever AFB, Colo., Joint Bases Andrews, Md., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., partnered with Luke Air Force Base for the annual Bird/Wildlife Air Strike Hazard project. The program exists to deter the local bird population from nesting in the area as the birds and wildlife can pose a threat to the flying mission when planes take off and land at Luke.

“This is a great opportunity for Airmen from civil engineer squadrons across the country to come and diversify their knowledge,” said Master Sgt. Michael McMurray, 341th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy repair superintendent. “They are involved in a project that provides them training on things they will not get to experience at their bases.”

The project began with placing bird netting to prevent nesting. The next step was to spray and remove the vegetation in the culverts to deter wildlife thus preventing birds from hunting or trying to nest.

“We are eliminating the habitats for all of the birds surrounding the airfield.” McMurray said. “It’s a big safety concern and we want to protect our fighters as well as the wildlife.”

Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland

A loader carries a bucket full of sludge May 30, 2017 in Glendale, Az. Airmen from seven bases across the country partnered with Luke Air Force Base for the annual Bird/Wildlife Air Strike Hazard project to clear away more than 1000 tons of mud, vegetation and debris from around the perimeter of the base to deter the local bird and wildlife population and keep the airfields safe.

More than 1000 tons of vegetation and debris has been removed during the project with a long term effort underway to complete an underground system to convey irrigation.

“Due to the current manning and increased volume of work requests on base in the pavement and construction equipment shop, we needed help to tackle this high priority job,” said Master Sgt. Junior Bablington, 56th CES superintendent of heavy repair. “These Airmen were able to assist and received an opportunity to train on heavy equipment. Really, when it comes down to it, it is Airmen helping Airmen.”
 

Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland

A dump truck hauls away a load of mud, vegetation, and debris from a clean-up sight during the Bird/Wildlife Air Strike Hazard project May 30, 2017, in Glendale, Az. The project consisted of the removal of stagnant water, vegetation, mud and debris to discourage the wildlife from nesting around Luke, protecting its assets and the local wildlife.

Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland

Staff Sgt. Donald Hammond, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy equipment operator, and Tech Sgt. William Hyche, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy equipment operator, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., shovel dirt and debris while Master Sgt. Michael McMurray, 341th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy repair superintendent, Malmstrom AFB, Mont., operates a loader removing buckets full of mud and debris May 30, 2017, in Glendale, Az. The culverts and drainage ditches attract small animals and birds those pose a hazard to fly aircrafts taking off and landing at Luke.