Air Force's beloved falcon mascot Aurora took her last flight on Wednesday ... the school announced the iconic bird has died. She was 23.
Aurora -- a rare white phase gyrfalcon -- played a huge role at Air Force sporting events over the years and was touted as "an ambassador for all falcons."
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Aurora passed away earlier today," the Academy said in a statement." Aurora was the Academy’s longest serving live mascot. In her 23 years at USAFA, she interacted with tens of thousands of people at sporting venues and military and community events.