The birds in our service are banded and registered with The American Racing Pigeon Union and The International Federation of Homing Pigeons. Ancestors to these birds were used in airplane training experiments for rapid microfilm message delivery. Used and approved by the FAA as long distance, long flight survival gear for airplane trips over rough terrain by pilots in Alaska who required secure means of communication in case of radio damage during possible force landing made in inaccessible Alaskan areas.