Aviano F-16s and HH-60Gs conduct Elephant Walk and COVID-19 flyover

The event was intended to showcase the continued combat power of Aviano Air Base and give thanks to first responders, doctors, and all personnel engaged in the battle against COVID-19.

Taken on May 1, 2020 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, the impressive photos in this post show 31st Fighter Wing (FW) air assets conducting an Elephant Walk and COVID-19 flyover.

The event featured 555th Fighter Squadron (FS) and 510th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets as well as 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS) and 57th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and was intended to showcase the continued combat power of Aviano Air Base and give thanks to first responders, doctors, and all personnel engaged in the battle against COVID-19.

‘Thanks to all of the squadrons involved in the photos and the maintainers who work behind the scenes to keep Aviano ROARING with freedom!,’ the base said on its Facebook page.

The mission of the 31st FW is to deter through safe, secure, effective operations. Win the current fight and be ready to win the next fight.

The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th FS and the 510th FS, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations. 

The 31st FW also hosts the 56th RQS providing a rapidly-deployable, worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response utilizing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The 56th RQS integrates with the Guardian Angels weapon system and other special forces to support insertion, extraction and recovery of both U.S. and allied combatants.

The 31st FW has the 57th RQS that leads, organizes, trains and equips Guardian Angel forces and combat support teams to conduct day and night personnel recovery operations in combat, as well as to provide combatant commanders with options to report, locate, recover and reintegrate isolated personnel. Additionally, the 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force