55th ECG performs Elephant Walk

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Stephens
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

The 55th Electronic Combat Group performed a show-of-force readiness exercise at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 28, 2021.

The 55th ECG, the group responsible for operating and maintaining the Air Force’s only airborne electronic attack platform, executed an elephant walk, which is where aircraft taxi in mass formation, using all seven non-deployed EC-130H Compass Calls.

“The purpose is to showcase our sortie generation capability,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles Wilson, 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron pilot. “This emphasizes how we will dominate an increasingly contested electromagnetic spectrum now and in the future. Today, we demonstrated that we can successfully employ this new concept of operations and provide it to combatant commanders.”

This proved a new mission commander multi-ship operations syllabus, which is being developed to provide greater capability within the agile combat employment concept. This event also showcased the group’s ability to rapidly generate multi-ship, combat-ready sorties with any of their aircraft, ensuring quick reaction, counter-communication and counter radar airpower is ready anywhere, anytime.

“This Elephant Walk was a chance for all Airmen involved to show the capabilities of the ECG during a mass demonstration,” said Capt. Justin Knott, 55th ECG exercise mission commander. “The ability to generate a plan that unites seven sets of aircrew, multiple intelligence support staff, three flying squadrons, one support squadron, all divisions of our maintenance squadron, and base operations, is no small undertaking. This effort allowed each of those entities to peer behind the curtain of the daily functions and roles of the others. We want all those involved in this event to recognize how their specific job fits into the greater Compass Call picture and garner a greater appreciation for those that work towards this mission with us.”

The capabilities of the 55th ECG were put on full display as they continued to prove their interoperability with other units, readiness to deploy multi-ship electronic combat airpower sorties and execute the electronic warfare missions they are tasked with. The capabilities and readiness of the group ensure the Air Force is ready to deter and, if necessary, defeat any adversary that may arise.