U.S. aircraft at the sprawling Bagram air base in Afghanistan are coming under increasing attack from "many small songbirds, pigeons, Magpies, Hawks and Black Kites," according to a bid request for a "bird control services" contract issued by the Army last month.
Prior attempts at controlling the birds have failed. Personnel have shot "bangers and screamers" at the birds - rockets that can travel hundreds of yards as they give off a siren-like noise, followed by a loud bang. Shotguns have been tried, too.
