In January 2020, amidst mounting tensions with Iran, the skies over Hill Air Force Base in Utah bore witness to a monumental display of airpower. 52 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, the fifth-generation fighter jets that are the centerpiece of U.S. air combat capabilities, were part of an “elephant walk.” This exercise was one of a kind, showcasing the readiness and might of the U.S. Air Force’s active duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings. Despite the coincidence in timing, the exercise was not a reactionary measure to geopolitical pressures but a planned demonstration of force, with months of preparation leading up to its execution.
An elephant walk is a military term describing the taxiing of an extensive lineup of aircraft right before takeoff, resembling the nose-to-tail procession of elephants. This particular elephant walk at Hill AFB was noteworthy not just for the sheer number of F-35As involved but also for the financial heft it represented. At $44,000 per flight hour for each F-35, the cost for the jets to fly for an hour surpassed $2 million, a figure that speaks to the high operational expenses of this advanced fighter. Yet, the investment in such a display extended beyond monetary considerations. It was a powerful message of capability and a strategic posture to both allies and adversaries.
Hill AFB, a base with a historic transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-35A, seized the occasion to commemorate the reception of its final F-35A in December 2019. The exercise involved the mass takeoff of these advanced jets, an event that had the base’s airmen work seamlessly to ensure the quick intervals of launch—a testament to the readiness and efficiency of the crews and pilots. Indeed, the elephant walk was as much an operational endeavor as it was a training event. It required synchronization across multiple squadrons and tested every facet of the airbase’s operational capacity, from maintenance professionals to command and control teams.
The evolution of the F-35A’s operational capabilities, particularly its maintenance and reliability rates, played a key role in enabling such an event. Where the F-35 previously struggled with a reliability rate hovering around 66 percent, improvements in the aircraft’s maintainability have increased this rate above 75 percent. This achievement has made it feasible to carry out exercises involving a large number of aircraft simultaneously. It also served as an implicit rebuttal to the program’s critics, who have been vocal about the fighter’s troubled history, marked by cost overruns, developmental delays, and performance issues. The successful completion of the elephant walk was a testament to the F-35’s growing operational maturity and a symbol of its ability to meet the demands of contemporary air combat scenarios.
Besides the operational and strategic implications, the event was a spectacle of military precision and strength. It is worth noting that in terms of the number of fifth-generation fighters involved, the Hill AFB elephant walk surpassed the fighter fleets of many nations, sending a clear message about the U.S. Air Force’s unparalleled airpower. The 52-ship formation, soaring into the Utah skies, was a dramatic portrayal of the F-35’s role in modern warfare and the ongoing commitment to its evolution as a pivotal asset in the defense of the nation.
Relevant articles:
– Watch the Largest F-35 Elephant Walk in History, Popular Mechanics
– What Was the Largest ‘Elephant Walk’ Ever Conducted?, nationalinterest.org
– The World Reacts: The Air Force ‘Elephant Walked’ 49 Drones and F-16 Fighters, nationalinterest.org