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Aircraft Display: Multiple F-22s Line Up in Spectacular Ground Deployment

F-22 and T-38 warplanes were taken out for a mass display of readiness by the 1st Fighter Wing on January 31, showcasing their swift mobilization capabilities.

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F-22 and T-38 warplanes staged an "elephant walk" exercise on January 31th, showcasing the rapid...
F-22 and T-38 warplanes staged an "elephant walk" exercise on January 31th, showcasing the rapid readiness and mobilization capabilities of the 1st Fighter Wing.

Aircraft Display: Multiple F-22s Line Up in Spectacular Ground Deployment

The U.S. Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing recently staged a significant demonstration of its rapid response capabilities, as seen at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia on January 31. Over one-eighth of the entire F-22 Raptor fleet was assembled on the runway, marking the largest F-22 elephant walk in service history with 24 operational Raptors and six T-38 Talon trainers.

The event aimed to underscore the wing's ability to quickly mobilize airpower in high-stress scenarios. In a statement, the wing emphasized its commitment to maintaining unparalleled combat readiness, ensuring national defense at a moment's notice, as the service's leading fighter wing.

According to available data from fiscal 2023, the Air Force has 185 Raptors, meaning the elephant walk showcased nearly 13 percent of the fleet. The fleet's mission-capable rate for that year was 52 percent, leaving around 100 fighter aircraft ready to execute their assigned missions at any given time. The exact impact of the exercise on the unit's surge capacity was not immediately disclosed.

Typically, elephant walks necessitate extensive efforts from maintainers to render a unit's airpower ready for immediate deployment. However, more details on the exercise's effect on the unit's readiness to surge were not provided.

The 1st Fighter Wing comprises the 94th and 27th Fighter Squadrons, equipped with F-22 Raptors, as well as the 71st Fighter Training Squadron, which operates the T-38 Talon training aircraft. Langley Air Force Base also hosts the training facility for the F-22, housing the flying training unit since 2021, following Tyndall Air Force Base's devastation by Hurricane Michael.

The Air Force is currently upgrading approximately 148 of its F-22s with new equipment, including low-drag stealthy fuel tanks to increase their range, infrared search-and-track devices to widen their ability to detect stealthy aircraft, and electronic warfare improvements. The F-22 is also expected to collaborate with autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, extending its missile capacity, and the Air Force is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile for extended range engagement.

Previously planned for retirement around 2030 due to technological advances rendered obsolete by adversary types, the recent halt in the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program's development may extend the F-22's service life well into the 2030s. The Air Force has petitioned Congress to allow the retirement of 32 F-22s used only for training, with the intended funds redirected toward upgrading the rest of the fleet. However, approval for this move has been blocked for several years.

While extensive elephant walks such as the one at Langley Air Force Base are noteworthy exercises in showcasing a unit's combat readiness, the largest F-22 Raptor-centric events in recent history can be traced to major joint exercises and massive runway displays, such as the historic demonstration at Kadena Air Base in Japan. In May 2025, a notable event featuring over 50 aircraft (including 53 confirmed aircraft of various types) showcased the F-22's integral role in maintaining air superiority and readiness for rapid deployment. The F-22's importance to the U.S. Air Force, along with ongoing upgrades, ensures its continued relevance in U.S. air dominance strategies until the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program becomes operational.

  1. The U.S. Air Force is currently upgrading a significant portion of their F-22 Raptors, including the addition of low-drag fuel tanks for increased range, infrared search-and-track devices, and electronic warfare improvements.
  2. The recent elephant walk demonstration at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, involving nearly 13 percent of the F-22 Raptor fleet, underscored the Air Force's commitment to maintaining swift defense capabilities in times of high stress.
  3. The Air Force has petitioned Congress to allow the retirement of 32 F-22 Raptors used only for training, with the intention of using the funds to upgrade the remaining fleet.
  4. The F-22 Raptor is expected to collaborate with autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, extending its missile capacity, and the Air Force is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile for extended range engagement.
  5. The F-22 Raptor's role in ensuring air superiority and rapid deployment was highlighted in a major joint exercise at Kadena Air Base in Japan, where over 50 aircraft, including 53 confirmed aircraft of various types, were showcased in May 2025.

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