Stealth Fighter Day declared

  • Published
  • By 49 FW/PA
SANTA FE, N.M. --  Rep. Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces) introduced HM 1 declaring Jan. 17, 2008, as Stealth Fighter Day. The bill recognizes the F-117A Nighthawk's years of great service in the United States Air Force who will be retiring the remaining fighters by this summer. It also recognizes Holloman Air Force Base as the home of the stealth fighters since 1992. The commander of HAFB, Col. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, joined Rep. Cote at the Roundhouse to honor the aircraft's service and role in the USAF. The bill unanimously passed the House with a vote of 68-0.

Representative Cote said, "The stealth fighter never failed to stop traffic as it flew over Alamogordo's highways. The entire community and state will miss the
F-117 as it goes into retirement." He added, "Its technical and stealth capabilities still amaze me. I am proud to have worked on it while at Holloman. The aircraft has been such an incredible weapon for the United States Air Force and has played such a key role in combat."

The F-117A Nighthawk first flew in 1981, became publicly known in 1988 and has since been in every U.S. armed conflict. Only seven of the fifty-nine jets built were ever lost. It has played a pivotal role in many historic operations such as Operation Just Cause in Panama helping to facilitate the surrender of Manuel Noriega, the cessation of North Korea's nuclear arms program, and in carrying 49th fighter wing pilots from Holloman Air Force Base to Kuwait during Operation Desert Strike.

Colonel Harrigian said, "I am honored to accept this proclamation on behalf of all those who have contributed to and left their 'fingerprints' on this phenomenal weapon system over the last 26 years. When the time came to unveil this mysterious, bat-like aircraft, those that did, did so with unmatched integrity, honor and pride. It is with the same unmatched integrity, pride and dignity that the 49th Fighter Wing will bid the world's first generation stealth aircraft an honorable farewell." He added, "From that historic 13 minute flight of the first Have Blue experimental model to their arrival in the land of enchantment to the successful missions of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the F-117A has admirably answered our nation's call to defend time and time again."