Stealth Fighter retires at 25

Otero County, N.M., Nov. 8, 2006 – Twenty-five years is reason to throw a party, even if you are an airplane. But especially if you’re the F-117A Nighthawk, more commonly known as the Stealth Fighter. Holloman Air Force Base hosted a celebration Oct. 27-29 to commemorate the achievements of the F-117A, and included 25 Stealth Fighters flying in formation, staggered into five separate groups. Since its first flight in June 1981, the Nighthawk has spent 25 years flying across enemy skies undetected thanks to the world’s most advanced radar systems. Combined the airplanes have flown 250,000 hours. Many of the men and women who made the airplane so successful attended the ceremony, paying homage to the aircraft’s history, which is still being written. Although its retirement is imminent since the F-117A is being replaced by the F-22 Raptor, the Nighthawk recently added another notable first to its long list of accomplishments. From Sept. 28-Oct. 1, the entire F-117A fleet at Holloman was 100 percent mission capable, meaning it was ready to fly. "This is the first time in known history that the F-117A has been mission capable for four consecutive days," Chief Master Sgt. Wendy Jones, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, told the AFPN." The Nighthawk has only been 100 percent mission capable for one day maybe two times since its declassification." The Stealth Fighter reshaped how the Air Force looked at strategic warfare, said Lt. Col. Chris Knehans, commander of the 7th Fighter Squadron. "It doesn't matter what defenses you put up, how deep you try to hide or how much you surround yourself with collateral damage, this airplane will come and get you," he told AFPN. For those who either fly or provide support to the Nighthawk, the aircraft has been a faithful one. Knowing it is now in its last days is bittersweet for many of them. "For old-timers like me, it's a sad day," Master Sgt. Byron Osborn, who has worked on the F-117A for almost 19 years, told the AFPN. "A lot of the younger guys like the new, flashier aircraft, but I'll stick with this old dog any day." The F-117A at a glance •Primary Function: Fighter/attack •Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co. •Power Plant: Two General Electric F404 non-afterburning engines •Length: 63 feet, 9 inches •Height: 12 feet, 9.5 inches •Weight: 52,500 pounds •Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches •Speed: High subsonic •Range: Unlimited with air refueling •Armament: Internal weapons carriage •Unit Cost: $45 million •Crew: One •Date Deployed: 1982

Twenty-five F-117 Nighthawks line up before takeoff from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., before flying in formation at the Nighthawk's 25th anniversary. Capt. Heath Armstrong (front) and 2nd Lt. Scott Panzer watch as a formation of F-117 Nighthawks pass overhead during a ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base. Capt. Christina Szasz prepares an F-117 Nighthawk for takeoff at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2006. The inside controls of an F-117 Nighthawk.

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