Watch Twenty six MV-22B Osprey and 15 CH-53E Take Off Together in an Elephant Walk

The skies over Southern California saw an impressive display of air power on last week as the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Aircraft Group 16 staged a mass sortie, launching 43 aircraft into the air at once. On June 6, the service put 26 MV-22 Osprey and 15 CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters on the tarmac at the same time, then sent them airborne. The show of force, known as an “elephant walk,” is meant to show the might of the U.S. military and its ability to surge large numbers of aircraft. MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, assigned to the marine tiltrotor squadrons, carry troops and light cargo to and from shore during amphibious operations. The large CH-53E Sea Stallion can carry internal cargo loads or “slung” loads balanced beneath the aircraft, including light vehicles.