Air Force
GallerySouth Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing conducts elephant walk at Joe Foss Field
Stars and Stripes
July 8, 2025
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F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing line up in formation on the runway during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Taylor Solberg/U.S. Air National Guard)
The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing conducted a maximum generation elephant walk to demonstrate its ability to project fighter airpower at Joe Foss Field, S.D., on July 2.
Several F-16 Fighting Falcons flew in formation during the demonstration.
The term “elephant walk” originated in World War II when nearly 1,000 aircraft would assemble into a single-file line — resembling a herd of elephants — and launch for a single mission. Elephant walks display personnel, airpowers and aircraft by the Air Force.
F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 114th Fighter Wing are staged in formation on the flight line during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota, July 2, 2025. The 114th Fighter Wing conducted a maximum generation elephant walk to demonstrate its ability to project fighter airpower. (Luke Olson/U.S. Air National Guard)
A F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing lands after an elephant event walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Taylor Solberg/U.S. Air National Guard)
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F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing taxi to the flight line while conducting an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota, July 2, 2025. The 114th Fighter Wing conducted a maximum generation elephant walk to demonstrate its ability to project fighter airpower. (Luke Olson/U.S. Air National Guard)
A F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing takes off during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Taylor Solberg/U.S. Air National Guard)
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Col. Jon Friedman, deputy commander, 114th Fighter Wing, climbs into a F-16 Fighting Falcon for an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Jessica Bak/U.S. Air National Guard)
Lt. Col. Jeremy Doohen, pilot, 175th Fighter Squadron, prepares for an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Jessica Bak/U.S. Air National Guard)
F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing hold position in elephant walk formation at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota, July 2, 2025. The 114th Fighter Wing conducted a maximum generation elephant walk to demonstrate its ability to project fighter airpower. (Luke Olson/U.S. Air National Guard)
A F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing prepares to taxi to the runway during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Taylor Solberg/U.S. Air National Guard)
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F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing fly in formation during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Taylor Solberg/U.S. Air National Guard)
A weapons load crew assigned to the 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares to load munitions onto a F-16 Fighting Falcon during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Jessica Bak/U.S. Air National Guard)
A weapons load crew assigned to the 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loads munitions onto a F-16 Fighting Falcon during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Jessica Bak/U.S. Air National Guard)
A fuels technician assigned to the 114th Maintenance Squadron refuels a F-16 Fighting Falcon during an elephant walk at Joe Foss Field, S.D., July 2, 2025. (Jessica Bak/U.S. Air National Guard)