Prognosis unclear for Air Force falcon mascot hurt in West Point prank

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — An Air Force Academy falcon mascot that was injured during a prank before the annual rivalry football game against Army is recovering back in Colorado, but her long-term prognosis is unclear.

That's according to Troy Garnhart, an athletics spokesman at the school. He said Sunday the 22-year-old falcon named Aurora was taken home on the team's charter flight Saturday night and was seen by a specialist.

RELATED

Air Force mascot injured in West Point prank

One of the Air Force Academy’s falcon mascots was injured during a prank prior to the annual rivalry football game against Army, according to an official at the Air Force Academy.

Garnhart could not detail the falcon's injuries but described them as potentially life-threatening.

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports West Point cadets took Aurora from an Army colonel's house as part of a prank during the week leading up to Saturday's game at Michie Stadium.

Officials at West Point didn’t return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

In Other News

VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026

The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.

Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus

The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.

Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans

Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.

Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.

Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.

Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025

Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.

Load More