Remembering 1991 F-117A

[737mech]

31 Years ago tonight We, "The 37th Tactical Fighter Wing", attacked Iraq in a way never before seen in war. STEALTH Aircraft. The future of air war tactics was changed forever. I feel lucky to have a part in that, part of the 37th TFW 416th TFS. I can only hope most of the guys I served with are still alive enjoying life remembering that night. I know some have passed and I will never forget them. Believe it or not they still fly the F-117A in a different mission but there's one thing that never changed. PM me to find out.

 

[drdispatch]

Thanks for your service, brother Airman!

 

[devicelab]

737mech, random question, but did IBM (or Boeing?) have some kind of IT contract with the Air Force back in those days? My stepfather was a Field SE and was told to report to some location. After going through security hell, he ended up replacing some parts, etc. Eventually he found out he had worked on a F117 aircraft (before it went into service.) I still have his 'service recognition' award he got from working on it.

 

[gillham]

Would love to see the F117 flying sorties for testing and Red Flag some day.. Bucket list items to photograph and do, along with Star Wars Canyon and the Mach Loop. It's just money... (and luck)

 

[prcguy]

Its interesting that I know a guy who owns a ranch in So Cal and an F117 crashed on it. The Air Force immediately took over the area removing the debris and dug up several feet of top soil over a large area and removed that too. Last time I talked with the guy he says after many years of rain there was some visible debris in the soil and some day I would like to investigate the spot, which is only accessible by horseback or maybe motorcycle. I did some horseback riding on his property some time after the crash but didn't have enough time or info to access the crash site.

Another friend working at an aerospace company was lead on a project for some sensors and things on the 117 and the aircraft that was shot down over Yugoslavia in 1999 was his test aircraft with some of the latest one of a kind and very classified sensors aboard. Some of the remains of the aircraft made its way to the Chinese embassy in Belgrade where the warehouse was blown to bits by US bombers and blamed on wrong CIA coordinates for another area. In reality, the coordinates were spot on. The friend of mine, now passed away, had this specific aircrafts log book at his house from reviewing some of his work at home and after the crash he just kept the log book.

Oh, and to 737mech and others, thanks very much for your service!

 

[RichardKramer]

I was at the Willow Grove NAS air show in the late 90's. There was an F117 on display and I wanted to ask the pilot about some a/a freqs. A lady in an AF uniform was selling t-shirts and I asked her when the pilot would be back. She told me she WAS the pilot and asked what question I had. I gave her a list of 5 possible a/a freqs that they might use. She said I can't tell you the exact frequency, but I can tell you that you have a good list. I bought a t-shirt, thanked her, and went on my way.