Visitors flock to Dobbins Published June 6, 2013 By James Branch 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- When Lt Col Walther Koelln, 94th Airlift Wing chief of safety, alerted Dobbins members that visitors were landing on base, he wasn't referring to military or elected officials, but feathered friends with black heads and necks, white patches on the their face, and brownish-gray bodies. A population of Canada Geese has recently migrated to Dobbins. Koelln has two main concerns, keeping the base airspace clear of the birds, and preventing injury and disease to the base populace. "In 1995, the U.S. Air Force lost 24 crewmembers and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft when a flock of Canada Geese struck the aircraft just after takeoff," noted Koelln. "Also, I'm sure everyone remembers the dramatic 2009 Hudson River ditching of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, after they too tangled with a flock of Canada geese." The wing safety office advises members to keep clear of the geese. They are very territorial and protective of their goslings, and they will attack. "Do not feed the geese," Koelln said. "Also, do not attempt to scare them off. You may inadvertently scare them into the flight path of landing and departing aircraft." Canada Geese are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918. This Act makes it illegal to harm or injure a goose and damage or move its eggs and nest, without a federal permit. However, wing safety, airfield management, and base civil engineering, place our members' safety and the safety of our airspace above the species protected status, and are taking measures to humanely relocate the geese. "Please enjoy the geese while they are here... from a distance," Koelln said. "We thank you for your patience and assistance in keeping Dobbins safe."
