Base happenings
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Lauren Caister, a Birdstrike Control Program wildlife manager who provides McConnell with Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard prevention, describes the BASH program to a group of local landowners whose properties surround the base, Nov. 14, during a landowner appreciation day here. The BASH program is designed to preserve war-fighting capabilities by reducing wildlife hazards to aircraft operations. Ms. Caister uses a Border Collie named Jet, to scare birds away from the base and its surrounding areas, which reduces the risk of bird strikes to McConnell aircraft. The Air Force had 4,790 reported bird strikes in fiscal 2007 alone, resulting in $25,103,329 in damages. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier)