'Super dog' makes skies safer at Andrews

Published March 3, 2009
By Pacifica Chehy
316th Wing staff writer

AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- There's an integral weapon at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., trained specifically to help support the mission and protect the flight crews and distinguished visitors who fly in and out of the base on daily basis. It is not who Andrews members would expect.

The weapon is not made of any kind of metal, but rather a beautiful black and white fur coat and big brown eyes. This secret weapon, of the four-legged variety, uses those eyes to focus intently on foul fowl on her territory at the base lake or at the Andrews Main Gate. What is this secret weapon used to protect aircraft from bird strikes? It's Bree, a border collie dedicated to supporting the mission and keeping pilots and passengers safe on our flightline.

"She is an amazing dog," said Tech. Sgt. Rachel Bader, 316th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management non-commissioned offier in charge. "We take a lot of pride in what we do and so does Bree. It's funny when you see her working out on the flightline chasing the birds away. It's like she knows that what she's doing is important -- and it is!"

Dan Vredenburgh, 316th Flight Safety wildlife management contractor and Bree's handler, works with the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program at Andrews. "The BASH program has taken on a special significance - especially with the bird strike recently in New York City," said Mr. Vredenburgh. "It really makes you realize what Bree and I do, along with everyone at airfield management and flight safety, is important to supporting the base and its overall safety." Mr. Vredenburgh notes that bird strikes are down 50 percent from 2006, from 41 to just 20 in 2008.

Bree is a professionally trained border collie, an energetic breed considered among the world's best sheepherding dogs. "Bree is incredibly effective at disturbing the birds' feeding and resting habits around base," said Mr. Vredenburgh. "She's very intent on getting those birds out of the area."

"Bree is an integral part of a comprehensive program using pyrotechnics, propane cannons, bird monitoring & migration tracking, as well as habitat management to minimize bird activity on the airfield," said Mr. Vredenburgh.

"Bird" truly is a four-letter word for Bree. The mere mention of the "b-word," as those in the Airfield Management office call it, sends Bree into work mode, with her ears perking up and her eyes focusing intently. "We try not to say the b-word unless we're going out because she gets ready to go to work," said Mr. Vrendenburgh.

Andrews is one of several bases with the BASH program and border collies. Other bases include MacDill AFB, Fla., Charleston AFB S.C., and Dover AFB, Del. The program has seen success at those bases, as well.

According to Flyaway Farms and Kennels, the contracting agency that supplies Bree, Charleston had an 80 percent decrease in the number of cattle egrets trying to feed on the airfield when compared to the previous summer before the border collie program started, Dover, which has five border collies because of the large bird population, had an 85 percent decrease in the number of snow geese landing in the fields patrolled by border collies, and MacDill had an 84 percent decrease in the time spent under moderate or severe bird watch conditions in the first two months border collies were working on that airfield.

"We're coming into the busy season for Bree," said Sergeant Bader. "Dusk and dawn are always busy times, but spring and fall migrations make us respond more often and be at the ready. Bree is a very good dog and she's part of the Air Force family. Dan and Bree are really good at what they do, which gives us more opportunities to be more mission-focused."