U.S. Air Force holds world's biggest 'elephant walk' with 4,000 airmen and 80 warplanes
The U.S. Air Force has held what is potentially the world's biggest "elephant walk" in a spectacular show of strength.
In total, 4,000 student Airmen from the 82nd Training Wing shared the runway with 80 training aircraft from the 80th Flying Training Wing - all to shine a light on the importance of training and partnerships.
"The key to airpower is exceptional Airmen, and the key to exceptional Airmen is exceptional training," said Brig. Gen. Lyle K. Drew, commander of the 82nd. "That's what we do here at Sheppard, and this elephant walk was our message to the world that the U.S. and its international partners remain committed to delivering the best trained Airmen in the world."
As home to three of the eight technical training groups in the Air Force as well as Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, the Sheppard base in Texas is unique in the Air Force. It's also home to the service's largest Noncommissioned Officer Academy.
"No other base could bring this many training aircraft and student Airmen to bear like this," said 80th FTW Commander Col. Brad Orgeron. "The fundamental technical and pilot training missions that happen here every day affect literally every base and every combat sortie in the Air Force - not to mention the impact on our global partners."
Leaders from the two wings planned the event as a message to friends and competitors alike that the U.S. and its allies remain committed to the legacy of unequalled training as the foundation of combat power.
