Moody AFB Elephant Walk

30 FULLY ARMED HOGs CONDUCT ELEPHANT WALK EXERCISE AT MOODY AFB 

By Dario Leone
May 25 2017
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The term elephant walk dates to WW II when those who observed this said that the taxiing of these large numbers of aircraft to takeoff in single file in nose-to-tail formations looked like elephants walking to the next watering hole

Taken on May 22, 2017 the cool pictures in this post feature aircraft from the 23d Wing conducting a surge exercise at Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Ga.

The drill, which was performed to demonstrate the wing’s ability to rapidly deploy combat ready forces across the globe, also included a typical “elephant walk” carried out by one HH-60G Pave Hawk, two HC-130J Combat King IIs and 30 fully armed A-10C Warthogs.

An elephant walk is a U.S. Air Force (USAF) term referred to the taxiing of military aircraft right before takeoff, when they are in close formation.

Often, it takes place right before a Minimum Interval Takeoff (MITO).

The term elephant walk dates to World War II when large fleets of allied bombers would conduct attacks in missions containing 1,000 aircraft.

Those who observed this said that the taxiing of these large numbers of aircraft to takeoff in single file in nose-to-tail formations looked like elephants walking to the next watering hole.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.  A-10C Thunderbolt II 23d W, 74th FS Flying Tigers, FT/80-144. Moody AFB, GA – 2011

Over time, it was incorporated into USAF lexicon to identify a “maximum sortie surge”.

The benefits of an elephant walk include being able to show the capability of the units as well as teamwork. It is often performed to prepare squadrons for war time operations, as well as prepare pilots for the launching of fully armed aircraft in one mass event.

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan and Airman 1st Class Daniel Snider / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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