Ramstein celebrates Earth Day

A peregrine falcon perches on its handler as part of an Earth Day demonstration April 17 on Ramstein Air Base. 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.Photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty
Volker Peter, a falconer assistant, feeds a peregrine falcon as a part of an Earth Day demonstration April 17 on Ramstein Air Base. A few students from Ramstein Middle School were able to hold and feed the falcon themselves. 
Photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty
Sixth-grade students from Ramstein Middle School pet a peregrine falcon during an Earth Day demonstration April 17 on Ramstein Air Base. The falconer keeps the flightline safe by using falcons to scare away animals that could cause damage to an aircraft. Photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty
86th Airlift Wing leadership and Host Nation Forest Authorities participate in a tree planting ceremony April 20 on Ramstein Air Base. The tree planting ceremony was held to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness for environmental protection. 
Photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis C. Schultz
Gerhard Wagner, 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office falconer, feeds a peregrine falcon as a part of Earth Day demonstration April 17 on Ramstein Air Base. The handler uses falcons to ward off unwanted sparrows, crows and pigeons from the flightline. Photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty