53 US military aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters, and Patriot systems lined up to show off their force in Japan.
The US Air Force and Navy held the "Elephant Walk" exercise at Kadena Base in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, earlier this week, but information and images were only released on May 10. The event is part of the annual Beverly Herd exercise by the US and its allies in the Pacific, aimed at preparing for combat scenarios in the region.
The exercise mobilized 24 F-35A stealth fighters, 8 F-15E heavy fighters, two EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, two MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 6 HH-60 rescue helicopters, two MC-130J special operations transport aircraft, 6 KC-135 tankers, one E-3G early warning aircraft, one RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, one P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and two Patriot air defense launchers.