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Falconer Reid Erickson prepares to release Olympia for a bird clearance flight at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
Falconer Reid Erickson prepares to release Olympia, a 10-year-old Peregrine Falcon, for a bird clearance flight at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., on May 5, 2001. Olympia and Erickson, of the World Bird Sanctuary, clear the airspace of birds to reduce the risk of bird strikes. The Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program at McGuire Air Force Base has utilized 12 Falcons for the last three years. There has been a 100% reduction in C-141B Starlifter damaging bird strikes from 1998 and an 80% reduction in number of KC-10A Extender damaging bird strikes from 1999.