U.S. Air Force Stages Massive "Elephant Walk" in Japan
The unannounced military exercise was meant as a show of force in the Pacific theater.
By Jay Bennett
The United States Air Force staged a massive "elephant walk" yesterday at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. The 18th Wing stationed at Kadena is the largest combat-ready wing in the Air Force, operating two squadrons of F-15 Eagles as well as HH-60 Pave Hawks, E-3 Sentries, and KC-135 Stratotankers.
An elephant walk is a military exercise that involves taxiing entire squadrons of aircraft in close formation as would be necessary in a short-notice wartime situation. The unannounced exercise is to prepare airmen to respond quickly to a threat if necessary, and also to serve as a show of force to potential aggressor nations in the surrounding region.
Yesterday's elephant walk was undoubtedly prompted by growing tensions with North Korea in the past weeks. Pyongyang continues to test its nuclear capabilities, and the U.S. recently sent a carrier strike group to the region. The American military is also amassing several aircraft in South Korea and the surrounding area, including the F-35B, and reports indicate the Trump administration is at least considering a pre-emptive strike in the event of a North Korean nuclear test.
An elephant walk was conducted at Osan Air Base in South Korea about a year ago, and since then tensions in the region have only continued to rise. With this recent demonstration of force, it's clear that Washington wants Pyongyang to know exactly how much air power it has in the Pacific theater.
U.S. Air Force / Senior Airman John Linzmeier
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