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Air
Force Mascot
The Falcon - Flying High
People all across the country have been delighted by the aerobatics
of the falcon, the flying mascot of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the
only performing mascot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The falcon can attain velocities exceeding 200 miles per hour in stoops
or dives, turn sharply and streak only inches above the
 ground, making
it the fastest and one of the most maneuverable of all birds. Trained
and handled by cadet falconers, the birds soar and dive, sometimes
zooming low over the heads of spectators. While their public flying
performances are primarily limited to outdoor venues, most often at
football games and cadet wing parades, the falcons appear at many other
athletic contests in which cadet teams play.
Members of the Class of l959, the first to enter the Academy, chose the
falcon as the mascot of the cadet wing Sept. 25, l955, feeling that it
best characterized the combat role of the U.S. Air Force. They did not
specify any particular species, thus, any falcon can serve as mascot.
Some of the characteristics which led to its selection were speed,
powerful and graceful flight, courage, keen eyesight, alertness, regal
carriage, and noble tradition. The falcon exemplified the qualities
sought in Air Force Academy cadets; courage, intelligence, love of the
wild sky, ferocity in attack, but gentle in repose - and discipline.
Some people said falcons could not be trained to perform before huge
crowds, that the birds would panic and flee. Since 1956, however, cadets
have flown the birds at sporting events before thousands of cheering
spectators. Six weeks or more and an average of 300 man-hours per bird
are required to properly train a young falcon. When a bird is in top
condition, it is able to fly for more than an hour and make repeated
stoops at the baited lure swung by the cadet falconer. Although they can
be trained to perform, falcons are never totally domesticated and remain
wild creatures with strong, independent spirits.
Although they are members of the hawk family, falcons differ in that
they have long pointed wings and dark eyes. There are five types of
falcons native to North America, ranging in height from two feet to as
small as five inches. They are the Arctic gyrfalcon, the largest;
peregrine falcon, sometimes called the duck hawk; prairie falcon;
American merlin, or pigeon hawk; and the American kestrel, also known as
a windhover or a sparrow hawk. On Oct. 5, 1955, a splendid peregrine was
the first falcon presented to the cadet wing. It was named "Mach 1,"
referring to the speed of sound. While "Mach 1" is still the official
mascot name, each bird receives an individual name from the falconers.
Twelve to 15 falcons are kept in the mews (enclosures for trained hawks)
north of the cadet area. The majority are prairie falcons native to
Colorado. The Academy has been fortunate to have had white phase
gyrfalcons represent the cadet wing. Previous gyrfalcon mascots were
Atholl, Baffin and Glacier. Glacier served as the Academy's mascot from
July 1980 through August 1995. Glacier, a male, came to the Academy from
the Seward Peninsula of Alaska July 3, 1980. Glacier died from cancer on
9 August 1995 and is mounted for permanent display in the Cadet Field
House. On June 8, 1996, the Association of Graduates purchased a female
white phase gyrfalcon from Mr. Dan Konkle in Sheradin, Wyoming, and
donated her to the Academy. The cadet wing named this new mascot Aurora
- from Roman Mythology, the goddess of the dawn. She is now the official
mascot for the United States Air Force Academy and will become the
center of attention for the Academy's Falcon Mascot Program. At a mere
40 days old, this majestic creature weighed four pounds. Glacier, the
previous gyrfalcon Mascot, only weighed 2 pounds.
Although any falcon can serve as an Academy Mascot, the white phase
Arctic gyrfalcon has always been the official mascot of the Air Force
Academy. Gyrs constitute only about 5 percent of the total number of
falcons found in the United States. Of that 5 percent, only about 3-4
percent are true white phase gyrfalcons.
Falconry is one of the extracurricular activities offered to cadets. The
Academy's public health officer, a public health veterinarian, is the
officer-in-charge. There are usually 12 falconers, with four chosen from
each new class at the end of the year to replace graduating seniors. The
new falconers begin training in January under the leadership of
experienced upperclassmen and the officer-in-charge. Without proper
instruction, novices can physically harm the birds or adversely affect
their training. Falconers' duties include daily checks of each bird's
health and condition, training sessions during which the birds are fed a
measured ration of meat, frequent cleaning of the mews and routine
maintenance of equipment.
The prairie falcon is the bird primarily used by cadet falconers in
flying demonstrations, however peregrine falcons are also flown. The
birds are flown throughout the year, weather permitting, to keep them in
top condition.
During performances, the birds fly to a lure, a rectangular-shaped
leather pouch to which meat is attached. The falconer whirls the lure in
a circle on a 30-foot cord; the bird quickly learns to strike it in
mid-air, carry it to the ground and dine on the food. As the bird stoops
toward the lure in free flight, the lure is jerked aside, causing the
falcon to fly up, circle and make another pass. This procedure is
repeated several times before the bird is allowed to strike the lure in
mid-air. A small battery-powered transmitter is attached to one leg and
a bell to the other leg so that, should the bird not come to the lure as
it had been trained, the cadet falconers will be able to follow and
safely recover the falcon.
Training the Falcons
Under special permits issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Academy is permitted to propagate
captive prairie falcons. Since 1974, most birds used for public
exhibition have been hatched in the Academy breeding project. Due to the
success of the project, birds excess to Academy needs have been
transferred to agencies for use in educational programs dealing with
raptors (birds of prey) or have been trained to hunt and then released
into the wild. Annual reports on all activities of the Academy falcon
program are submitted to state and federal wildlife conservation
agencies.
Young birds hatched in May or June grow rapidly and by the end of July
are fully feathered and ready for training. The first step is to
acquaint them with the jess, a short leather strap fastened to each of
the bird's legs. The next stage is called manning, a procedure to let
the falcons become accustomed to the presence, sounds and smell of
people. Each falcon has a six-foot leash coupled to the jesses, and is
carried on a falconer's gloved fist. In this manner, the bird gradually
loses the fear of moving among crowds of people. A leather hood is used
when necessary; when placed over the bird's head, the falcon will remain
calm.
Next, a long stout string called a creance is used to secure the bird.
One end of the creance is fastened to the base of a portable outdoor
perch and the other end is fastened to the jesses, thus giving the bird
a restricted flight range. The falcon is taught to hop, then flutter,
and finally fly the length of the creance to the falconer for food. When
the falcon flies unhesitatingly to the lure every time, the creance is
removed and the bird is permitted to fly free.
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