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'Arctic Reservists' celebrate 3rd year with Bald Eagle release

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs Office
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The 477th Fighter Group "Arctic Reservists" showed they were ready to take flight as a relatively new unit during their annual picnic Aug. 15, by releasing an American Bald Eagle back into the wild. The release is symbolic of the unit's growth since its stand-up in 2007, said Col. Eric Overturf, 477th FG commander.

"Although we are a relatively new unit, our contribution to the 3rd Wing and Air Force mission has well surpassed expectations. We are confident that as we grow and continue to fill our ranks over the next few years with quality people that we will continue to soar to excellence," the colonel said.

After the initiation of the group about three years ago, it seems that nearly all the kinks have been worked out and the group is fully prepared to handle whatever may come its way, Colonel Overturf said. The 477th FG flies the F-22 Raptor.

"As part of our annual picnic, we wanted to do something that symbolized our group," said Colonel Overturf. "(We worked on) getting an eagle to release that was ready to take flight, which is symbolic. It's kind of like our group has taken flight, to lay the foundation for Total Force Integration. JBER is ready to take flight."

The eagle the unit released was 3 years old, without the traditional white head and tail feathers, which the eagle normally gets around its fifth year when it's fully matured, according to Mr. Dave Dorsey from the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage.

This eagle was found in February of this year on a river bank in Dillingham, Alaska soaked and wet, Mr. Dorsey said. The eagle had probably eaten too much which is common with young raptors when they come across a good food source, he said. After gorging herself, she was too full to fly and fell to the river bank.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recovered the bird, sending it to the rehabilitation center in Anchorage, where the eagle was kept for several months, spending her time resting and recuperating until she was able to fully operate on her own.

Colonel Overturf said he feels very fortunate to live here because of the opportunities like this.

"I think we're all very blessed to be able to live here in Alaska, where you can see and be so close to nature and be able to help," Colonel Overturf said.

The Bird TLC center is a non-profit organization which takes volunteers. If interested in learning more about the rehabilitation center, people can visit their Web site at www.birdtlc.net.