In an impressive display of airpower and readiness, Hill Air Force Base marked a significant milestone with a 52-plane F-35A “elephant walk,” setting a new standard for operational capability. The exercise, staged by the Active Duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings, involved the mass takeoff of 52 of the country’s most advanced fighter jets, the F-35A Lightning II, demonstrating the might of the United States Air Force and the fruition of over four years of concerted effort.
The timing of this “elephant walk,” coinciding with escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, underlines the strategic importance of such exercises. Although Hill AFB has clarified that the timing was coincidental and that the exercise had been in the planning for months, it can’t be overlooked that it comes on the heels of significant geopolitical developments.
The F-35A, known for its advanced capabilities, including stealth technology and integrated avionics, is a critical asset in the modern battlefield. The exercise not only showcased Hill AFB’s full war-fighting capability but also the increasing ease with which these sophisticated aircraft can be maintained.
“Today’s exercise marks the accomplishment of over four years of work — a little over four years ago, we received our first F-35,” Col. Michael Ebner, 388th Wing vice commander, told the Deseret News. “We now have our full complement of aircraft and locally, we turn this into a goal of full war-fighting capability.”
Hill Air Force Base has a storied history with combat aircraft, having been the first to become fully operational with the F-16 Fighting Falcon more than three decades ago. The base continues this legacy with the F-35A, now home to the only four combat-capable F-35A squadrons in the U.S. Air Force.
The elephant walk itself is a historic concept dating back to the Second World War, and Hill AFB’s recent demonstration is one of many that continue to highlight the U.S. military’s aerial prowess. Notably, Hill AFB received its full complement of 78 F-35As in December 2019, with this exercise serving as a commemoration of the completed delivery.
However, the prowess of the F-35A comes with a considerable price tag. The cost of flying the Joint Strike Fighter is a hefty $44,000 per hour, significantly higher than its predecessor, the F-16. The financial aspect of such exercises is not trivial, with this particular elephant walk estimated to cost around $4.5 million for a two-hour sortie per aircraft. Despite the costs, the exercise provided invaluable training and assessment opportunities for airmen, from maintenance professionals to pilots and command and control teams.
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