by Cliff Judy (WICHITA, Kan.)

One Wichita “Jet” is now protecting dozens of others.

McConnell Air Force Base says Jet, the border collie, is saving the base money and keeping their KC-135 tankers safe.  Each year, planes collide with migratory birds in mid-air causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.  Aircraft are most vulnerable when landing and taking off because they can’t avoid a flock of birds.

“Geese pose a huge threat to the planes,” says Jet’s handler, Lauren Caister.  “A goose hitting a plane going full speed is about equivalent to dropping an elephant onto your car.”

Caister takes Jet to surrounding fields scaring flocks of geese further and further away from the McConnell flight line.  With whistle in hand, Caister tells Jet exactly when to go after the geese.

“As far as the birds are concerned, there’s now a wolf in the area,” says Caister, ”so we’re discouraging the birds from wanting to be here.”

McConnell’s bird strikes dropped by 30% last year.  Caister says Jet is far more effective than any bird-banger gun or other gimmick because Jet serves as a real predator.

McConnell did have one minor bird strike overnight Monday.

Jet comes from a border collie rescue group in Florida.  About five percent of the rescued dogs are so hyper and work-oriented, they’re not suitable for adoption as pets.  Those dogs like Jet are used for bird strike control.