Jets launch for ORE

U.S. Air Force crew chiefs assigned to the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, preps an F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to launching it for an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

Several U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to Shaw Air Force Base,S.C., are inspected by 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs before being launched to perform an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw AFB, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Chris Weber, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, does his last minute checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon before launching the aircraft during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Several of Shaw's F-16 pilots participated in an elephant walk during the ORE. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron "Tigers" uses hand gestures to represent his squadron while taxiing into formation to participate in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Chris Weber, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, assisted in the generation of several F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Chris Weber, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, reads through a technical order manual before launching an F-16 Fighting Falcon to perform an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., prepares to participate in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron "Shooters" uses hand gestures to represent his squadron while taxiing into formation to participate in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., is marshaled from its parking spot to participate in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw AFB, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., taxies onto the ramp while participating in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw AFB, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., taxies into formation while participating in an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw AFB, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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Jets launch for ORE

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to Shaw Air Force Base S.C., perform an elephant walk during an Operational Readiness Exercise, May 22, 2012, Shaw AFB, S.C. An elephant walk occurs when aircraft taxies down the runway in large numbers, which represents the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly for a military response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)

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'Elephant walk' proves combat launch capability

Published May 30, 2012
By Senior Airman Kenny Holston
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Pilots from the 79th, 77th and 55th Fighter Squadrons and their associated aircraft maintenance units produced a mass aircraft movement, known as an "elephant walk," during an Operational Readiness Exercise here May 22. An elephant walk is a mass of aircraft taxiing, representing the ability to generate a large number of aircraft needing to take off rapidly in combat. Evaluators judged that the 20th Fighter Wing successfully generated many aircraft during the ORE.

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Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE

Jets launch for ORE