Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

A peregrine falcon perches on its handler as part of an Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. The demonstration showed the students how the falcons dive to catch their prey and explained how they are used to scare other birds off the flightline to keep them from interfering with planes that are taking off or landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

A peregrine falcon stretches their wings during an Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. The falcon is handled by Gerhard Wagner, 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office falconer, who has spent 17 years working on base training falcons to scare off wildlife near the flightline to help prevent aircraft damage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

Volker Peter, a falconer assistant feeds a peregrine falcon as a part of Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. A few students from Ramstein Middle School were able to hold and feed the falcon themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

Sixth-grade students from Ramstein Middle School pet a peregrine falcon during an Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. The falconer keeps the flight line safe by using falcons to scare away animals that could cause damage to an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

Gerhard Wagner, 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office falconer feeds a peregrine falcon a chick as a part of Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. The handler uses falcons to ward off unwanted sparrows, crows and pigeons from the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

86th Airlift Wing leadership and Host Nation Forest Authorities participate in a tree planting ceremony on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 20, 2018. The tree planting ceremony was held to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness for environmental protection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis C. Schultz)

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Ramstein Celebrates Earth Day

Published April 23, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Ariel M. Leighty
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A peregrine falcon perches on its handler as part of an Earth Day demonstration on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 17, 2018. The demonstration showed the students how the falcons dive to catch their prey and explained how they are used to scare other birds off the flightline to keep them from interfering with planes that are taking off or landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty)