Air Force Safety Center

Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH)

The Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Team's goal is the preservation of war fighting capabilities through the reduction of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations. We are the Air Force's point-of-contact for worldwide on-site technical assistance. We are also responsible for developing research programs to reduce bird strike potential around airfields and during low-level flight operations. The team manages the largest bird strike database. The database is often used for conducting detailed statistical analysis for aircraft component design and environmental assessments.

BASH News

Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Feather ID Lab Interview

Guidelines for Collecting Birdstrike Remains for Species Identification

General Information for Collecting Birdstrike Material

2012 Smithsonian Overseas Shipping

New Bird Remains Collection Recommendations

Recent data has shown that water regularly causes mold to form and sometimes ruins the DNA. A new recommendation will be published soon recommending the use of alcohol (70% Ethanol) to clean snarge (blood smear) instead of water. Of course, before using alcohol on the aircraft skin, consult aircraft manuals to make sure alcohol is an approved cleaning solution.

For new information regarding collection from H5N1 countries please review the INTERIM SAFETY SUPPLEMENT (ISS) T.O. 1-1-691SS-1, DATED 10 MAY 2007

Avian Influenza

The reports of avian influenza in Asia and Europe have caused concern that a mutant version of the bird flu could infect the human population. Although avian influenza is potentially fatal, it is very difficult and rare to contract. Only 117 people who have had repeated contact with infected poultry over the last two years have caught Avian Influenza; 60 of those people have died. Until now, most cases of bird to human transmission involved people working in close proximity to large numbers of infected domestic birds. Recently, human cases of avian influenza have been reported from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Currently the H5N1 virus has not been found in the United States.

For more detailed information on Avian Influenza, click here.

BASH Safety Tools

Using NEXRAD (WSR-88D) Weather Radars to track the movements of birds, AHAS represents the most comprehensive method of remote sensing of birds today. These radars were originally built to track storm cells and chart precipitation returns. Now they are being used to keep planes away from birds. The system actually takes the weather out of the picture leaving biological targets. AHAS uses the radars to monitor bird activity in near real-time and as a feedback tool for the forecasts that AHAS produces for the flight crews. AHAS is the dynamic version of the BAM. It takes weather into account and calculates where the big birds are going to be. The AHAS is now available online. Coverage includes the entire continental United States.

Bird hazard information for Europe

BIRDTAM, an elaborate bird monitoring system has been developed and is being used by Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands to generate bird strike risk intensity levels. The bird strike risk intensity levels range from 0 (nil bird strike risk) to 8 (extremely great bird strike risk). Aircrews flying over Central Europe, to include Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and The Netherlands should consult the DOD NOTAM website during flight planning. View website.

BIRDTAMS 0 to 2 correspond to Bird Watch Condition LOW, 3-5 to MODERATE, and 6-8 to SEVERE.

For more information on BIRDTAM, contact USAFE/SEFP - Flight Policy.

BASH Publications & Forms

AFI 91-202	The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program
AFI 91-204	Safety Investigations and Reports (Bird Strike Reporting)
AFMAN 91-223	Aviation Safety Investigations and Reports
AFPAM 91-212	Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Management Techniques
Forms
AF IMT 853	Air Force Wildlife Strike Report
Other
	2003 Multi-Agency MOA to Address Aircraft-Wildlife Strikes (Currently Under Revision)
	150/5200-33 FAA Advisory Circular: Hazardous Wildlife Attractants On or Near Airports

Inside AFSEC

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BASH Contacts

USAF Acting BASH Team Chief
(505)846-5674

USAF BASH Program Initiatives
(505)846-5673

USAF Wildlife Ecologist
(505)846-5848

Email: afsec.sefw@kirtland.af.mil

Statistics

BASH Links

FAA
USDA
Smithsonian Natural History
Bird Strike USA
Bird Strike Canada