Safety personnel rescue airfield alligator

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Master Sgt. Michael Bayne and his partner, David Beaty, drove their off-road vehicle toward the first coyote snare in the early hours of May 28.

Seeing nothing, the duo from the 2nd Bomb Wing safety flight continued onward.

As the second trap came into view, Beaty noticed what appeared to be a log caught in the trap.

Then the log moved. The off-roader skidded to a stop. That was when Bayne and Beaty realized they were actually looking at the dark scales of an alligator.

Fortunately for the six-foot amphibious reptile, wing safety's goal was to remove the alligator from the trap and return it to a familiar environment. To accomplish this, they obtained help of Maj. Kris Hollenback, 2nd BW flight safety chief, Master Sgt. Wilkie Santos, 2nd BW flight safety NCO and Wildlife Biologist Mark Gates.

"We all worked to cut the gator free," said Beaty. "I held the tail down while others worked to tape its mouth down and cut the snare."

Besides the hissing and a roll or two, the alligator didn't fight much.

Alligators are not an uncommon sight on Barksdale, but for one to be caught so close to a B-52 Stratofortress is uncommon.

"With all the rain we've been having this month, we're bound to get animals in different areas looking to explore new scenery," said Beaty. "This type of movement is a reminder for everyone to be aware, but not frightened or scared."

Wildlife around Barksdale will generally flee unless harassed, provoked or cornered, he added.

Within a half-hour the gator was released and placed in the back of a pickup truck to be taken back to a suitable environment. Though the gator didn't resist much, it took three men to place and secure it in the bed of the truck. The wayward creature was then taken to Flag Lake and released.

"It's pretty neat that we got to save an alligator from the airfield," said Beaty. "We were just checking for coyotes."

The office charged with protecting the flightline from wildlife may have had an eventful morning, but will continue to be vigilant and steadfast in protecting Airmen, their families and the wildlife that call Louisiana home.