JB MDL Airmen, Soldiers execute ‘Elephant Walk’ in stride Published May 2, 2014 JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Media are invited to attend Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's 'Elephant Walk,' during which 10 KC-10 Extenders, five C-17 Globemaster IIIs and one C-12 Huron will taxi down the runway one right after the other May 6 at 8:30 a.m. here. The 'Elephant Walk' is both a training exercise and an essential event in preparation for the JB MDL Open House and Air Show scheduled for May 10 and 11. The flight line aircraft will vacate to perform training or real-world missions, which will allow the flight line to accommodate the static display aircraft that will be flying in for spectators to view. The term "Elephant Walk" is unique to the Air Force. It was introduced during World War II, and eventually became a part of the Air Force's institutional language. The Army Air Corps' large fleet of bombers would regularly conduct attacks by sorties comprising more than 1,000 aircraft. Observers commented that the nose-to-tail, single-file taxi movements of the heavily-laden bombers paralleled the nose-to-tail trail of lumbering elephants on their way to the next watering hole. The term stuck - and was even used to define maximum aircraft surge operations in Air Force regulations. -30- NOTE: Contact the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs Office at (609) 754-2104 or 87.abw.pa@us.af.mil for more information. Media interested in covering the event must contact the Public Affairs office no later than 3 p.m. May 5. Additionally, media must arrive at Wrightstown Gate no later than 8:00 a.m. May 1. Media will not be granted access after 8:30 a.m.