US, Japan aircraft make first combined ‘elephant walk’ at Okinawa airfield

Marine Aircraft Group 36 and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force teamed up to demonstrate their ability to project airpower across the Pacific. Helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 36 participate in an elephant walk at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Oct. 20, 2026. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa — U.S. and Japanese forces flexed their collective aviation muscles Tuesday during their first joint “elephant walk” on this airfield. Marine Aircraft Group 36 led the walk alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to demonstrate their ability to project airpower across the Pacific, the Marines Corps said. The walk — part of the Keen Sword exercise that began Monday — featured 26 aircraft, the largest in recent memory, and the first joint event of its type at MCAS Futenma, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman 1st Lt.

Isaac Lopez said by phone and text Tuesday. An elephant walk in military aviation is a close formation of many aircraft moving along a taxiway or runway. Helicoptors assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36 participate in an elephant walk alongside their Japanese counterparts at Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, Okinawa, Oct. 20, 2026. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) Three CH-53 Sea Stallions with Marine Aircraft Group 36 participate in an elephant walk at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa,