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Show HILLTOP TIMES Revolutionary F-117A retires to mothball status TIMES March 20, 2008 BY DEREK KAUFMAN and expensive to maintain. After each mission, maintenance specialists closely examine RIGHT-PATTERSON the aircraft's special coating to AIR FORCE BASE, identify any needed repairs. If Ohio — The Air required, coatings are reapplied, Force-industry team responallowed to cure, and re-inspectsible for providing program ed, said Col. George Torres Jr., oversight to the F-117A Nightthe commander of Holloman's hawk stealth fighter aircraft 49th Maintenance Group. said farewell during a ceremony March 11. "We can do a quick turn and get these aircraft up very quickMore than 350 airmen, base ly to support operational training employees, industry partners requirements," said Tbrres. But and family members gathered in combat situations, extra time for one last close-up look at the and attention are the rule of the F-117, which made its first flight day to ensure the F-117's stealth in 1981, just months after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th characteristics are intact. U.S. president 'The aircraft won't go out until it's ready," Tbrres said. Three F-117s and airmen Few people realize the F-117 from the 49th Fighter Wing at has no defensive systems or Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., were on hand to enable Air Force radar, said Col. John Forsythe, Materiel Command and Aerothe 49th Operations Group comnautical Systems Center offimander. "We depend exclusively cials an opportunity to reflect on on the stealth provided by our CHRISTY WEBB/U.S. Air Force the jet's legacy. The ceremony maintainers." concluded with a fly-by of one jet Airmen deployed from the 49th Fighter Wing prepare to launch an F-117A Nighthawkfrom a foggy Holloman AFB's pilot and are painted red, white and blue on its ramp at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on March 11. After 27 years of service Air Force officials maintenance teams will launch retiring the F-117 fleet to free up funds for modernization. belly. their last "four-ship" of stealth fighters April 21, Forsythe said. 'The United States Air Force developed, in partnership with Desert Storm, F-117s flew Lessons learned operatfly and maintain, Carlson said. They will make a brief overnight industry, an airplane that has nearly 1,300 sorties over Iraq ing and maintaining the F-117 "Taking them out of service stop at the F-117s logistics supserved this nation remarkably and Kuwait without a single contributed significantly to the will allow us to use that money port center in Palmdale, Calif., well over a quarter of a century," to recapitalize the Air Force," he combat loss, Gen. Carlson said. development of the new mix of for a final ceremony before Gen. Bruce Carlson, the AFMC Nighthawk pilots flew only two said. U.S. stealth aircraft which now retiring to Tbnopah where their commander said. percent of the total combat sorThe F-117s will be placed in have vastly superior capabilities, wings and tails will be removed storage at an airfield in the Tbties but struck 40 percent of the Carlson said. The Ail' Force decided to reand the aircraft will.be stored in tire the F-117 fleet because a new nopah Test Range, Nev., where most highly defended, strategic "This airplane was the founda- protective hangars. A portion of generation of stealth aircraft the jets flew in total secrecy and targets. tion for low-observable techthe fleet will be rapidly recallnology in the United States of — which includes the B-2 Spirit, only at night until November "It was a remarkable contriable to fly again, if ever needed. F-22 Raptor and soon-to-beAmerica," he said. bution to that war and all done 1988. The 49th Fighter Wing's focus fielded F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Holloman AFB's 49th FW be- over one of the most hostile air The F-117 is nearly complete- will then turn to getting ready to — have better capabilities, and environments in the history of came the F-117's home in 1992. receive the Air Force's newest ly covered with a radar-absorbbecause the F-117 is expensive to the world," he said. In 1991 during Operation ing material which is laborious stealthy jet, the F-22 Raptor. 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs W for attending and said the Wing, who attended with carnival is something the his children. "It was realbase will try to do quarly for the kids, and it was From page 1 terly. fun to see them having "It was an awesome a good time and smiling event, and I would in that type of environ1 mander, presented Bob definitely recommend the ment." ' ' carnival to other people and Dianne Long with The next Welcome commander's coins and a with families," said Maj. Home Carnival is tentaplaque. The Longs doJames Becker, 518th tively scheduled for mid nated all of the money to Combat Sustainment June. put on the carnival. The Longs are a local family who generously support •Hill AFB airmen through VENDORS WANTED for Hill Officers' Spouses Club the Airman & Family Spring Craft Bazaar Readiness Center. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Apr. 16 j ; Col. Medler thanked Club Hill, Hill Air Force Base \ the Longs and let them (Booth fee, $40; Deadline Apr. 7) i know the event meant a For information call Michelle 593-5830 lot to returning deployers Don't miss this event with up lo 70 vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, pottery, home decor, prepackaged gourmet foods and much more! and their families. She The bazaar is a fund-raiser for the club's charitable giving. also thanked everyone Admission is free to visitors with access on base and/or accompanying those with access. CARNIVAL Base Info. 777 1411 READY PIZZA All Lars? n LUNCH SPECIAL - 2 SLICES & DRINK $3.50 (Served 11 AM-4 PM) 1320 E HWY 193, LAYTON UT. 771-0317 FREE PIZZA! See ACE Hardware next door for details. Yourselt at USU Brigham City With UTA making regular stops at our campus and the many learning options we offer, getting your college degree can be as easy as taking the bus. Bachelor's Degrees in: • Accounting • Business • Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education - 2nd Bachelors • Early Childhood Education • Elementary Education • English • Entrepreneurship • Family and Consumer Sciences • Family, Consumer, and Human Development • History Fong's Garden American and Chinese Foods ' Psychology • Secondary Education - English, History • Special Educatfon (435) 734-2277 http://brighamcity.usu.edu Served , ivilh Pork Fried Rice amlFgn Roll! - H ours: M on-Thurs 11 am to 9pm Fri-Sat 11 am to 10pm Closed Sunday • 771-3888 1310 Easl 3000 Noiih (I hvv 19I-J) Suite A-4 • Lavlou |