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| Location: Colorado Springs, Col. Conference: Mountain West School Colors: Blue and Silver Air Force Academy Tradition Travels at Mach 1 |
AIR FORCE: MACH 1
Members of the class of 1959, the first to enter the academy, picked the falcon as the mascot of the
cadet wing in 1955. Later that fall, they enlisted the first falcon to serve the academy. The mascot was a
peregrine falcon named “Mach 1," which refers to the speed of sound.
Each bird that has served the academy has carried the Mach 1 name, but receives an individual name
from the cadet group known as the falconers. The cadets that care for and train the mascots keep 12 to
15 falcons. For a falcon to be properly trained, the falconers spend an average of 300 hours of labor over
a six-week period. Though they never completely domesticate the falcons, they train them to fly for more
than an hour and make repeated stoops at a baited lure held by a cadet falconer.
Hailed as the NCAA’s only performing mascot, the Air Force Falcon is a crowd pleaser. The bird can
achieve a speed of more than 200 miles per hour and makes the game day experience even more
exciting by diving and zooming low over the heads of spectators.
A costumed mascot known as “The Bird” also serves in the Academy’s ranks. Known for his unusual
arrivals at season home openers, “The Bird” has arrived via limousine, parachute and horseback.
AIR FORCE FALCONS NICKNAME
Unlike many nicknames that have mysterious or meaningless origins, the Air Force Academy’s nickname
suits perfectly. The qualities possessed by the falcon are reflected in many ways by the cadets the bird
represents.
Falcons are known for unhesitatingly attacking and killing prey twice their size. Due to military weight
standards, the Air Force football team typically matches up against foes that have much greater sized
linemen.
Keen eyesight is another falcon characteristic that’s found in Air Force Cadets. Students at the academy
must have perfect vision to fly our nation’s elite aircraft.
The falcon also possesses other qualities that the Academy’s future naval officers must have to be
successful. These positive traits include speed, power, courage, alertness and a noble tradition.
The falcon’s heritage has also soared into the United States Air Force. Fittingly, one of the best weapons
in the Air Force arsenal is the F-16 Fighting Falcon
GAME DAY AT FALCON STADIUM
Besides witnessing the thrills of the Academy's performing mascot, they typically treat fans to quite a
performance on and off the field. The U.S. Air Force Academy parachute team, the Wings of Blue, deliver
the game ball in exciting fashion. Against a backdrop of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, the Wings of
Blue drop in Falcon Stadium for the proud tradition of delivering the game ball. A good omen that's often
accomplished by the jump team is for a precise landing on the painted falcon positioned at midfield of the
52,480 seat stadium.
Fly bys over Falcon Stadium are also a celebrated pregame tradition. Whether its F-16's, the famous Air
Force Thunderbirds or other flying Air Force inventory, the planes always create lots of excitement with
their low approach and sonic booming sound.
LIGHTING STRIKE
Claimed by many to be the second-most recognizable helmet in college football, Air Force's lighting bolt
design has also made it to the pros. The San Diego Chargers followed the academy's lead and got a
charge by modifying it for their helmets.
Members of the class of 1959, the first to enter the academy, picked the falcon as the mascot of the
cadet wing in 1955. Later that fall, they enlisted the first falcon to serve the academy. The mascot was a
peregrine falcon named “Mach 1," which refers to the speed of sound.
Each bird that has served the academy has carried the Mach 1 name, but receives an individual name
from the cadet group known as the falconers. The cadets that care for and train the mascots keep 12 to
15 falcons. For a falcon to be properly trained, the falconers spend an average of 300 hours of labor over
a six-week period. Though they never completely domesticate the falcons, they train them to fly for more
than an hour and make repeated stoops at a baited lure held by a cadet falconer.
Hailed as the NCAA’s only performing mascot, the Air Force Falcon is a crowd pleaser. The bird can
achieve a speed of more than 200 miles per hour and makes the game day experience even more
exciting by diving and zooming low over the heads of spectators.
A costumed mascot known as “The Bird” also serves in the Academy’s ranks. Known for his unusual
arrivals at season home openers, “The Bird” has arrived via limousine, parachute and horseback.
AIR FORCE FALCONS NICKNAME
Unlike many nicknames that have mysterious or meaningless origins, the Air Force Academy’s nickname
suits perfectly. The qualities possessed by the falcon are reflected in many ways by the cadets the bird
represents.
Falcons are known for unhesitatingly attacking and killing prey twice their size. Due to military weight
standards, the Air Force football team typically matches up against foes that have much greater sized
linemen.
Keen eyesight is another falcon characteristic that’s found in Air Force Cadets. Students at the academy
must have perfect vision to fly our nation’s elite aircraft.
The falcon also possesses other qualities that the Academy’s future naval officers must have to be
successful. These positive traits include speed, power, courage, alertness and a noble tradition.
The falcon’s heritage has also soared into the United States Air Force. Fittingly, one of the best weapons
in the Air Force arsenal is the F-16 Fighting Falcon
GAME DAY AT FALCON STADIUM
Besides witnessing the thrills of the Academy's performing mascot, they typically treat fans to quite a
performance on and off the field. The U.S. Air Force Academy parachute team, the Wings of Blue, deliver
the game ball in exciting fashion. Against a backdrop of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, the Wings of
Blue drop in Falcon Stadium for the proud tradition of delivering the game ball. A good omen that's often
accomplished by the jump team is for a precise landing on the painted falcon positioned at midfield of the
52,480 seat stadium.
Fly bys over Falcon Stadium are also a celebrated pregame tradition. Whether its F-16's, the famous Air
Force Thunderbirds or other flying Air Force inventory, the planes always create lots of excitement with
their low approach and sonic booming sound.
LIGHTING STRIKE
Claimed by many to be the second-most recognizable helmet in college football, Air Force's lighting bolt
design has also made it to the pros. The San Diego Chargers followed the academy's lead and got a
charge by modifying it for their helmets.
Mascots, Nicknames & More |