Mountain Goats Give Air Force Static

Air Force investigators have finally found a scapegoat for static interference with ground radio traffic at this northern Utah military base.

A real one, as in a mountain goat wearing a radio collar. The state had released that goat and a number of others into the wild in August.

The static, which also began in August, “has been driving people nuts,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Ingraham, a radio frequency manager.

He and three other base workers put their radio-tracking technology to work to figure out where to look, then they started driving.

Eventually, then narrowed their search down to the mountains between Ogden and Brigham City.

Then binoculars helped them spot the goats - including one nicknamed Phyllis that they suspect is the source of the static.

Wildlife biologist Randy Wood said the state will grant the base’s request to change the beast’s collar.