09-05-2025
Kadena Air Base in Japan sees largest 'Elephant Walk' with 53 aircraft; here's what it is and what it indicates
Kadena Air Base
, which is the
United States Air Force
base in Japan, displayed the largest ever 'elephant walks' last weekend with over four dozen aircraft and a battery of anti-aircraft missiles, as per a report.
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The formation had 53 planes, which beat the record of 52 aircraft
elephant walk
at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, reported Task & Purpose.
Aircraft and Assets in the Formation
Among the 53 aircraft were:
24 F-35A
Eight F-15E Strike Eagles
Six HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters
Two MQ-9 Reaper drones
Two MC-130J Commando II special ops tankers
Six KC-135 Stratotankers
One RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance jet
One E-3G Sentry AWACS
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers
One Navy P-8 Poseidon submarine-hunter
Two U.S. Army Patriot missile systems
According to the report, the range from in-the-dirt rescue helicopters to secrecy-shrouded heavy jets that serve as spy planes, command posts and submarine hunters, were remarkable.
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Most of the aircraft in the elephant walk were flown by crews at Kadena, like the HH-60s, KC-135s, and E-3s, as per Task & Purpose. While the other aircraft, the Air Force said, 'regularly operate out of Kadena, day in and day out,' as quoted in the report.
Why It Matters?
The 18th Wing command chief master sergeant Brandon Wolfgang said, 'An elephant walk like this sends a message you can't ignore—it shows our Airmen, allies, and adversaries that we're united, capable, and ready,' adding, 'This kind of teamwork and presence is exactly how we maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific,' quoted Task & Purpose.
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FAQs
Was this the biggest elephant walk ever?
Yes, with 53 aircraft, it beat the previous record of 52 set in Utah in 2020.
What kinds of missions do these planes support?
Everything from air combat and rescue to spying on radio signals, refueling jets midair, and hunting submarines.
