WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Sheppard Air Force Base (SAFB), in partnership with the City of Wichita Falls and the United States Department of Agriculture, will be dispersing a large flock of cattle egrets away from the base in the upcoming weeks.

SAFB stated that the dispersal method of pyrotechnics will be non-lethal to the flock and is being done for aviation safety.

The flock of cattle egrets has begun roosting just west of the base, on private land, according to SAFB, and residents who live nearby should be advised that the pyrotechnics will sound similar to gunfire.

According to SAFB, flights of egrets have been recently observed passing over the airfield, which presents a strike threat to aviation safety.

Although catastrophic strikes are rare, SAFB said in July 2013, a single cattle egret strike over the SAFB airfield resulted in the non-fatal ejection of two pilots and complete loss of a T-38 Aircraft, valued at $8,000,000.

The dispersal operations are planned to take place throughout daylight hours and end at sunset.