OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES April 23, 2009 Air Force Academy Cadet 3rd Class Jeremiah Baxter, holding Banshee, chats with actor Rick Schroder during Air Force Week Los Angeles activities in November 2008. FALCON From page 1 falcon," said John VanWinkle, deputy chief of media relations and assistant officer-in-charge, Cadet Falconry Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public Affairs. "We let people see the bird up close and let them pet him and take pictures. It draws a large number of people at air shows and other events — it's something most people don't get to see up close. "Another thing we do is go to schools and talk to kids about falconry, wildlife, the Air Force and the Air Force Academy." The highly trained birds are handled by cadet falconers, most often at football games and cadet wing parades. The birds are trained to soar and dive, and sometimes zoom low over the heads of spectators. The falcon was selected as the cadet wing mascot on Sept. 25,1955, by members of the Academy class of 1959. According to an Academy fact sheet, the falcon was thought to best characterize the combat role of the Air Force, SENIOR MASTER SGT. MATT PROIETTI U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force photo Oblio, a tundra peregrine falcon, is shown resting on his falconer's glove during an appearance. A falcon from the Air Force Academy will be taken to area schools and featured as part of Air Force Week Salt Lake City events in June — most likely it will be Oblio. based on its speed, flight, courage, keen eyesight, alertness, grace and tradition. All Academy sports teams are now called the "Falcons." <l Mach 1," the first Academy falcon, was a peregrine falcon. The cadets now maintain a mew (enclosure) of 10 to 15 falcons, mostly prairie falcons native to Colorado, though they also train peregrines and white morph gyrfalcons. The gyrfalcon, a variety once flown by medieval European kings, is the largest falcon and has a body length of 20-25 inches, a wingspan of 4 to 4 172 feet, and body weight of between 2 and 4 1/2 pounds. Cadets train both tercels (males) and falcons (females) for flying demonstrations as an extracurricular activity. Falconers' duties include daily checks of each bird's health and condition, training sessions during which the birds are fed a • Hill AFB Job Openings Site Internal civilian announcements are posted on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site. Announcements for bargaining unit positions are posted on Fridays. AH other announcements may be posted any day of the week. The Civilian Announcement u Notification System is a subscription e-mail service available to ;j assist employees in their job search. ? Self-nominations for posted announcements can be made on-line at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/resweb. or via the interactive voice response system at 1-800-997-2378 and TDD 1-800-382-0893. Bulk Ammo! Everyday Low Prices •:- \4 2710 S. 1900 W.jDgdenUT IMPACTGUNS.COM£> • For info on NSPS visit http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps. measured ration of meat, cleaning the mews and routine equipment maintenance. 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 falcons. Since 1974, most birds used for public exhibition have been hatched in the Academy breeding project. Due to the project's success, birds excess to Academy needs are transferred to agencies for educational programs or are trained to hunt and then released into the wild. Cadet falconers in flying demonstrations use peregrine prairie and gyrfalcons. The birds are flown throughout the year, weather permitting, to keep them in top condition. Between May and October, when the birds are molting, the training is minimized to prevent damage to new feathers. Youngbirds hatched in May or June grow rapidly and by the end of July are fully feathered and Interested in having additional investment options? Want greater flexibility and control? Is your portfolio designed for your objectives? Need advice on hpwto invest your hard earned dollars? Worried about retirement income? Are you over 59 1/2? (or separated from service) I What should you do now? Call our office for a complimentary consultation to evaluate your options. : Local Office...Local Advice 801-479-5254 ftrtahfindit VON COLLN FINANCIAL GROUP LEARN | PLAN | MANAGE Securities offered through LPL Financial Member FINRfl/SIPC ready for training. They are first acquainted with the "jess," a short leather strap fastened to each of the bird's legs. The birds are then carried on a falconer's gloved fist, tethered by a six-foot leash coupled to the jess, and gradually acquainted with the presence, sounds and smell of people. A leather hood is used when necessary; when placed over the bird's head, the falcon remains calm. Next, the birds are given a restricted flight range by means of a long stout string called a "creance." One end of the creance is fastened to the base of a portable outdoor perch or weight, and the other end is fastened to the jesses. The falcon is taught to hop, then flutter, and finally fly the length of the creance to the falconer for food. This is followed by training the bird to fly to the lure, a rectangular shaped leather pouch to which meat is attached. The falconer whirls the lure in a circle on a 10foot 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 . ( t 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. When the falcon flies unhesitatingly to the lure every time, the creance is removed and the bird is permitted to fly free. Small battery-powered transmitters are attached to their legs, along with a bell, 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. Six weeks or more 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 stops. Although they can be trained to perform, falcons are never totally domesticated and remain ' wild creatures with strong, , independent spirits. tahfinditcom restaurants | services | whatever Top of Utah business in the palm of your hand Businesses: call 801-625-4317 to update your data. See on your mobile at rn.utahfindit.com |