Air Force's live mascot back in Colorado Springs after Army prank

The Air Force Queen is back.

Aurora, Air Force’s 22-year-old white gyrfalcon and the “queen bee of the Academy” according to several cadets, was kidnapped and injured last week in an Army prank gone wrong. Although her left wing injury was originally believed to be life-threatening, Aurora is now expected to make a full recovery.

“You can see she has just a couple little spots on the front of her wings where there was a little residual blood from some minor injuries,” said Jennifer Alexander, the Air Force Academy’s Falconry Officer in Charge, in a press conference leading up to the Falcons’ Saturday afternoon game against New Mexico.

The gyrfalcon returned home to Colorado Springs after the game against Army, nabbing her own seat on the team’s chartered plane. Coach Troy Calhoun said the bird was surprisingly well-behaved the entire flight and the team appreciated having her come home.

Once she landed, there was even homecoming press conference alongside several Air Force cadets.

The academy wouldn’t elaborate on her bird-napping and referred to West Point for information about the incident.

Army officials apologized for Aurora’s injuries and promised a full investigation.

Aurora is still recovering, but she’s expected to attend Air Force’s next home game against Colorado State in late November.

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