January 1, Historic Stealth Jet Makes Final Journey

Wyatt’s Take

• The Air Force Reserve moved a retired F-117A Nighthawk to the Smithsonian where it belongs.
• America’s first stealth fighter served its country and now rests in a national museum for future generations.
• Real military hardware deserves proper respect instead of sitting in some scrapyard.

The legendary F-117A Nighthawk made its final flight inside a C-5M Super Galaxy cargo plane.

Nearly two decades after retirement, the historic stealth fighter will join the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

“The Nighthawk revolutionized aerial warfare and proved American ingenuity could defeat any threat,” said Air Force officials involved in the transfer.

The aircraft logged combat missions in Panama, the Gulf War, and operations over Yugoslavia before retirement.

Air Force Reserve crews from the 512th Airlift Wing handled the delicate transport operation with precision.

The F-117A’s angular design and radar-absorbing materials changed how America fights wars from the sky.

Wyatt Matters

American service members deserve museums that honor their sacrifices and the tools they used to defend freedom.