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Air Force squadrons showcase 'overwhelming combat airpower' during elephant walk
Published March 27, 2019
A squadron of USAF aircraft "elephant walked" down an Alaskan military base on Tuesday as part of a routine to demonstrate their combat airpower and response abilities.
A close formation taxi, known as an Elephant Walk, participating as part of Polar Force on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. (Facebook/3rd Wing @JBER3WG)
The “elephant walk,” which refers to the close formation of military aircraft before takeoff, comprised of 24 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, a C-17 Globemaster III transport and an E-3 Sentry. Units usually perform an elephant walk to give pilots practice in teamwork and prepare for wartime operations,
Tuesday's demonstration took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, according to Stars and Stripes.
The routine was part of Polar Force, a two-week exercise that allows squadrons to showcase "their abilities to forward deploy and deliver overwhelming combat airpower," officials said.
24 F-22 Raptors, a C-17 Globemaster III and an E-3 Sentry gathered on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flight line. (Facebook/3rd Wing @JBER3WG)
Air Force officials posted photos of the close-formation taxi on Facebook. Video from the exercise shows the aircraft taking off one by one before returning to the airstrip.
An F-22 Raptors aircraft participating in Polar Force. (Facebook/3rd Wing @JBER3WG)
The F-22 Raptors are from the 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group, which are both associated with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Should a crisis arise in the Pacific region, the aircraft and airmen of the 3rd Wing would be among the first responders, according to The Drive.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/military-aircraft-showcase-combat-power-during-elephant-walk