At Hahn AB, we would regularly display the ability to launch 50 F-16’s. Why? To prove to the enemy we could. Why 50? To fulfill our assigned Strike mission.
During the first Gulf War, we would launch 48 F-16’s from Al Dafra AB, UAE - usually that number in two go’s a day.
A few times I was at the tail end of those Gorilla packages. It was an extraordinarily impressive sight, until one realized the first couple dozen Vipers woke everybody up, just in time for your own roll in which - in Pappy Boyington style - was from about 30,000 feet, 60 degrees nose low, full AB. Wild stuff.