The BHWT meetings are attended by relevant members from the following
groups, which is dependent on the agenda topics and specific group
responsibilities:
Low: Normal bird activity would be considered low, and carries a
warning to avoid known bird hazards.
Moderate: Conditions requiring increased vigilance by all agencies and
supervisors, and extra caution by airmen would be classified as
moderate. This condition level could be associated with flocks of small
birds in the airfield environment, small numbers of predator sized
birds near runway, or significant bird numbers on low‐level routes or
ranges that cause an aircraft to alter their flight path in order to avoid
incident.
Severe: High bird populations directly above the active runway or
another strategic location that represents a high potential for strike
would be categorized as severe. This level requires a thorough
evaluation of planned missions and operations by supervisors and
aircrews prior to operating in areas under this BWC level. Large groups
of small birds or any number of predatory‐sized birds congregating
near approach / departure paths would be considered severe. Any
concentration of birds that causes a flight lead to recommend that the
4 FW SOF closes a low‐level segment would be classified as severe.
Flight Safety BASH Program Manager
USDA Representatives
Flight Safety Non‐Commissioned Officers in Charge (NCOIC)
4th FW Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation
4 FW Scheduling (OSOS)
Civil Engineering
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o
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Pest Management
Environmental Management Element
Pavement & Construction Equipment
Grounds Maintenance
Air Traffic Control
Airfield Management
Aircraft Maintenance
Base Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Manager
Squadron Flight Safety Officers (SFSOs)
916 ARW / SE
916 OG / OGV
An additional tool used in determining the BWC is the Avian Hazard
Avoidance System (AHAS), which provides near real‐time information and
provides predictions for areas that are experiencing, and / or are expected
to experience high levels of bird activity during a 24‐hour period. The Plan
encourages the use of the AHAS for predicting bird activity up to 24 hours
in advance for aircraft operations, especially for evening training activities.
The BASH Plan also provides mechanisms for the identification and
dissemination of information regarding bird activity in the area. Local
observations of bird activity made on the airfield are used as a means of
quickly communicating the level of risk associated with the current avian
activity. The BASH risk is categorized as low, moderate, or severe bird watch
condition (BWC), depending on the real time observations of bird activity,
with each level being associated with specific operational procedures for
pilots. The SOF, Tower Watch Supervisor, or Airfield Management is
responsible for declaring the appropriate level of the BWC. Details on the
warning levels include:
Page 5.21‐6
Findings
The Seymour Johnson AFB BASH Plan identifies the organizations
responsible for monitoring and addressing the bird and wildlife hazards
on the Base.
Background Report