STILL GOING STRONG

摘要

THE LOCKHEED F-117A Nighthawk - as featured in this issue with regard to its missions in 'Desert Storm' - was officially retired on April 22, 2008 when the final four jets were flown to Tonopah Test Range in Nevada for storage. Incredibly, a small fleet of these charismatic stealth fighters remains active to this day. They fly from the very same location and facilities at Tonopah where the 4450th Tactical Group flew the F-117 in total secrecy in the 1980s. Today, a small team, possibly known as the 'Black Knights', fly a handful of F-117s, seemingly for operational evaluation and test missions. The latest sightings in May and early June this year indicate the type's continued use in both of these roles, operating in semi-secrecy and not officially recognized by the US Air Force. In my view, this is one of the most remarkable stories in military aviation - it's got the mystique and the history that combine to create the classic military aviation heritage that this magazine thrives on.