Did the F-117 fly actual combat missions AFTER retirement?

Go to ground.news/Sa... to stay fully informed on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link right now for 40% off their Vantage Plan, which is what I use everyday.
- BREAK -
By now, just about everyone knows that America’s F-117 Nighthawk, the world’s first operational stealth aircraft, has had a very busy retirement, with Black Jets still flying a wide variety of training exercises against American fighter pilots... But one longstanding rumor in the aviation community suggests Nighthawk's have been doing much more than that.
And according to the story, a small batch of them even flew combat operations over Syria as recently as 2017.
Let's see if we can get to the bottom of this.
HUGE THANKS to Jarod Hamilton for providing some great F-117 pictures and videos for us to use! Make sure to give him a follow to see more of this work!
/ jmh.creates
x.com/jarodmha...
/ jmh.creates
📱 Follow Sandboxx News on social
Twitter: / sandboxxnews
Instagram: / sandboxxnews
Facebook: / sandboxxnews
TikTok: / sandboxxnews
📱 Follow Alex Hollings on social
Twitter: / alexhollings52
Instagram: / alexhollings52
Facebook: / alexhollings. .
TikTok: www.tiktok.com...
Citations:
/ 2670767592949758
/ 2735376966488820
theaviationgee...
www.tealgroup....
www.wilsoncent....
crsreports.con...
www.sandboxx.u...
www.sandboxx.u...
www.nytimes.co...
www.cbsnews.co...
www.businessin...
www.sandboxx.u...
www.reuters.co...
www.defense.go...
www.defense.go...
apnews.com/art...
www.semanticsc...
theaviationgee...
media.defense....
apps.dtic.mil/...
www.pbs.org/wg...
www.key.aero/a...
www.airandspac...
www.nytimes.co...
www.globalsecu...
www.washington...
www.key.aero/a...
theaviationgee...
www.nationalmu....
www.dote.osd.m...\
www.lockheedma....
www.dote.osd.m...
www.airandspac...

[@SandboxxApp]

Go to ground.news/Sandboxx to stay fully informed on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link right now for 40% off their Vantage Plan, which is what I use everyday.

[@SendingFreedomTM]

You should get on that platform nebula or whatever the KZbinrs that do documentaries and educational videos do. I think it’s uncensored too! Just an idea!😊

[@lukearts2954]

@@SendingFreedomTM he'd have to work on that voice first tho. Thank God for mute and subs. If he would drop the forced cramp thing, I would probably sub, because some of his videos are interesting indeed. But listening to a guy that's trying to press out a fecalome for half an hour, is just unbearable.

[@johno8817]

Should check out the EH-60 BlackHawk, I used to be crewchief on 019. Only crew of 5.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

My grandfather retired as director of logistics for the USAF. In around 1993 or so, he bought me a toy model of a F-117. I remember him "five years ago, this was top secret. Now it's a kid's toy".

[@MuffinManUSN]

Cheers to what your pop did with the time he had. Thank you for sharing that pride and fond memory with us as well today. Stay proud and happy to remember things like that from the past. Kind regards❤

[@thudthud5423]

Before that, I bought myself a plastic model "F-19". The public pretty much knew there was a stealth fighter, they just didn't know the details. Its suspected designation was F-19. Interestingly it seems that maybe they chose "F-117" as its designation because there are engines with very, very similar designations, maybe as a "hide in plain sight" tactic on paperwork.

[@pkt1213]

​​@@thudthud5423 I have no idea how many flight hours and missions I have in the f-19

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

It's interesting that China & Russia didn't seriously attempt to duplicate this aircraft. It's obviously the "starter girlfriend" like Meg Griffin from Family Guy 😂, like, it's a great way to study the construction & techniques of stealth & airplanes, how people successfully came up with something that made the 2 things work together.

[@3isr3g3n]

This and the SR71 are my favourite planes. They were so far ahead of their time, and they still are unbeaten champions.

[@spartancrown]

Queue the idiots “tHe F117 wAs ShOt DoWn bY lOwLy yUgOsLaViA wItH oLd TeChNoLoGy”

[@douglasthompson201]

Well, the F117 isn't exactly "unbeaten."

[@MuffinManUSN]

​@douglasthompson201 I mean...all things considered it has quite the Batting Average. We all strike out. We do not all swing. ❤

[@spartancrown]

And there it is.

[@MuffinManUSN]

@@spartancrown I didn't see it. Was "it" a Nighthawk?

[@jloiben12]

When our over 40 year old stealth fighter is a good enough substitute for other countries leading edge stealth…

[@jg3000]

It's got better all aspect stealth then F-22 and F-35. If those 2 are in fact stealthier. It from sensors not frame.

[@coreytaylor5386]

it also formed the basis for the other one other country who's stealth technology development isn't a literal joke or just propaganda. China got their hands on debris of one and used it to develop their stealth coating that they used until the J-20 when they got the f-35's stealth tech, and even then most military engineering circles consider it an achievement for China because even just to build the infrastructure and specialized industry needed for the modern f35 based coatings its a hell of a struggle

[@Future-Preps35]

The coatings on the newer models are better than the F-117….

[@Future-Preps35]

The media killed the Iran attack on Israel within 48 hours….

[@jg3000]

@@Future-Preps35 You could always paint it on F-117.

[@jloiben12]

That deconfliction channel was super helpful for Russia when we asked if the fighters we were about to call all the killstreaks on were Russian and they said no

[@rockroll7649]

The research you all put into these productions is incredible. Y'all are one of my favorite channels. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@Doodelz02]

Exceptionally well told, Alex. Thanks!

[@super8hell]

F-117 made me interested in aviation as a child.

[@jlehm]

Same

[@viktor_v-ughnda_vaudville_476]

Me too

[@MuffinManUSN]

Amen. America is truly unparalleled in her ability to her weapons of warfare. May our citizens always find enough pride to overcome our residents that would likely prefer a government subsidy for Oreos over a defense industrial base that will not leave us short when compared to our Geopolitical neighbors.

[@whateverrandomnumber]

The bomb through vent stunt was a nice party trick. You don't need to nail the vent. You just need to set the delay for the warhead a few milliseconds after impact.

[@Wyomingchief]

I remember getting to see an F-117 at Holloman Air Force Base in the early 1990s. My best friend from high school was an aircraft maintainer at that bass, and I and my wife of the time visited him and his family. I got to go on base with him, met the commanding officer of the squadron, he was the F-117 Squadron commander, and he took me out to one of the hangers. I wasn't able to touch the aircraft or get closer than about 5 ft but OMG but that thing was amazing.

[@Ifoughtpiranhas]

The fact that a 40 year old stealth aircraft can still operate with impunity should be very disconcerting to adversaries using the most advanced Russian air defense systems like the S-400. (Looking at you, Russia & China)

[@riskinhos]

you should visit the belgrade aviation museum before making such stupid comments on social media.

[@passportbrolife]

@@riskinhos you should visit the kursk region and toropets region of rusya first...

[@robinseibel7540]

@@riskinhos And you should look into exactly how that F-117 was shot down. It was not because of any advanced Russian SAM technology but rather a crafty and observant Yugoslav SAM battery operator.

[@counterstrifekid]

@@riskinhos the reason the F117 was shot down was due to operational laziness, and a consistent and observant Radar operator. We were flying missions on the same flight pattern at the same times on the dot with a window of just a few seconds to get a lock (when the payload doors open). That SAM operator took advantage of our operational laziness and got a positive lock in that very short window.

[@nolean99z]

The S400 turned out to be junk. Popping like popcorn in Crimea. I don't know what country would be stupid enough to spend money on that Russian overhyped garbage anymore.

[@fletch3538]

My dog was freaking out on a walk just now as a F-22 and a P-51 flew over us together getting ready for this weeks air show . So loud but sooo cool to see. Poor dog

[@RyanRothermel-ix4bx]

Lucky ducky. I saw the f22 demo team in Oceana on the 22nd and it was so cool. Beautiful plane

[@Ali3ninvad3rr]

Logically it checks out if it can perform similar missions to the f-35 / F-22 without giving our adversaries the chance to study the stealth characteristics

[@stubryant9145]

Isn't it in actuality an attack bomber? Wouldn't think it would much if any air to air capability.

[@bushgreen260]

*The still classified Black Manta was the companion aircraft to the F-117.*

[@jamesjross]

that's a bold statement.

[@super8hell]

Pilots had tinfoil hats for helmets.

[@Christian_Johansson]

no

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

@@Christian_Johanssonmaybe

[@densealloy]

1:08 the biggest secret is that it has a rather large passenger compartment and can dock to commercial airlines in the air. 😊

[@Edge51]

True story I served with Segal and Russel on that mission I was one of two of the only survivors of the plane coming apart. Segal will back me up he will say he was there…😂

[@ianhilliker8149]

​@Edge51 you've been double crossed. Segal is a double agent working for the Russians.

[@Shadowboost]

​@@Edge51 operation detail, can only carry suppressed MP5 because long rifles won't fit up the docking shaft

[@KylerSeck-wo7oz]

I saw an F117 flyover, South Hutchison, Kansas in 2009 or 2010. I did not know what it was at the time, but it's interesting now looking back on it, seeing how significant that was.

[@jonniez62]

We supported the 4450th's A-7 boresight kits at Kirtland PMEL, got a hint of what we were supporting after talking to maintainers who brought the kit to us

[@strikercwl]

The F117 was the first model I ever built (and a super easy one). I would not call it my favorite aircraft, but it will always hold a special place in my heart. The way they designed this thing without the aid of modern computers to run the sophisticated radar signature simulations that make current gen stealth possible is amazing.

[@HERETIC529]

Get a good picture of the stargate while you’re at Cheyenne mountain.

[@Evolution_Kills]

Every time the ME262 gets the credit or accolade for starting the jet age, a Gloster Meteor pilot or engineer rolls in their grave.

[@timrodgers8551]

We had laser designation befor the f117. A system called pave spike was a pod that was installed on f4 phantoms

[@wigon]

Yes that technology dates back to the latter part of the Vietnam War. However, what is unique about the F-117 is that the laser targeting system is not in a pod, but rather built into the body of the aircraft. As such it is able to retain it's stealth characteristics more effectively. This feature is only now available to the latest variants of the F-35. As far as I know, the F-22 does not have this ability, but then again the F-22 is not designed to be a CAS aircraft as it's main role is air superiority. The F-35 however is meant to be a more multi-role platform. Another feature that the Pave Spike did not have was the ability to auto-track a moving target as more modern systems can. The F-117 can do this.

[@Reepicheep-1]

When PGM changed 'planes per target' to 'targets per plane,' that by itself was a gamechanger. Add low observability, and the tech jump is amazing A $100 mil plane which can take out 2 targets with 2 weapons in a sortie, and come back. Compared to dozens of cheaper planes with hundreds of unguided munitions, and many planes won't return. Stealth is expensive, but I'd argue it's a comprable price to before with far greater efficiency.

[@jloiben12]

Ahh yes. The aircraft version of Schrödinger’s Cat. Is it in service or out of service?

[@MuffinManUSN]

(Redacted)

[@Christian_Johansson]

yes

[@davidwilson1273]

Good one!

[@skibo3522]

I've seen the pics of Nighthawks flying in and around Area 51 but this is the first I heard of them doing Missions in 2017, wow. Explains several things now, Thanks very much for the Post!

[@jeffmeyer9587]

The plane that made Elon want to make a pickup......

[@MuffinManUSN]

😢 That comparison is....charged. 😅 That pun was not intended.😊

[@jeffreyfarlow9862]

And he used an Nintendo 64 to design that truck 😂

[@MotoNomad350]

He wanted to make a pickup but instead he made that urinal on wheels.

[@COM70]

Be proud, both are 100% American. I’m not but Americans should be proud as no one else in the world has managed either.

[@lukeamato423]

*bbq​@@MotoNomad350

[@-Mr.ScottDaugherty]

That’s tone-a-paw Alex, phonetically!

[@curtjoyner4493]

Hey Alex, that's Tow-na-pa, Nevada, not tanopa.Not trying to be sarcastic, you're my go to guy for this kind of info.

[@gareth204]

Nothing surprising in the fact a 40 year plus airframe is still performing front line duties. Look at the F-15, F-16, B-52, B-2, A-10, etc. When you think about it, it’s quite common as they were so well designed, tested, and made, and have adapted so well to modern warfare.

[@chrivedy]

Alex this is one of my favorites to date and that’s saying a whole lot! So much info packed in here

[@erod19969]

Awesome footage and pictures of the F-117

[@jeremyortiz2927]

Excellent choice to break into 2 parts. Great video 👍

[@00calvinlee00]

Years ago one of my Brothers was in a Squadron at MAG-49. He walked into the Hangar Bay to do something A-4 or H-53 related and was surprised to see a F-117 in the Hangar. It was going to stage out of NAS Willow Grove for the Weekend Airshow and do a few passes at other shows and bases in the area. Turns out at the time it needed 24 Hour Armed Security when they were away from Holloman. I think it was 1992. The name on the bird was a Navy Exchange pilot, forget his name.

[@bigusdallastexamas5740]

I would see these almost daily in the mid 1990's. The shape of them always made it extremely difficult to confidently decide exactly what direction it was actually flying. It was a really strange effect that I don't think I've ever witnessed with any other airframe.

[@fakecubed]

I hope this story is true simply because I hope it woke up some people at the Pentagon that maintaining the F-117's unique capabilities is essential and it must be preserved in any future air forces of the United States. Maybe it'll just be some drone, maybe another stealth fighter. But it should be something.

[@Rusty.1776]

I saw one last Thursday over Reno NV.

[@colbunkmust]

I can't imagine a better candidate for a Darwin Award that a pilot trying to bait an F-22 into a fight...

[@EstorilEm]

NEVER bet against Lockheed and the Skunkworks when it comes to groundbreaking or state-of-the-art aeronautical engineering. Ever. It may take a decade or more for people to appreciate it, but eventually history speaks for itself - they always had the right idea, and were generally years (sometimes a decade or more) ahead of the competition or adversary.

[@SHINR__]

Ayyy! Been looking forward to this, good to see JMH's footage in here like you said!

[@DaveBeard-se5go]

Looking forward to part 2!!!

[@romincurrier4328]

Would love more detail on the continuing escalation in Syria by Russia leading up to the attack on the Conoco refinery in February 2018 and Russia's conduct east of the Euphrates after that.

[@bertg.6056]

A great report, Alex. Thanks !

[@EC-cm8sf]

The B2 was in service and has the capability to hit moving targets

[@travissheets4071]

I got to see one once at an air show. I’ll never forget it. Surrounded by Air Force security forces

[@tj_2701]

Didn't Task & Purpose already all but confirm this story to not only be true, but that there was more than just the Laser Designator on the F-117 that got it sent to fly missions in Syria. Such as wanting to limit exposure, of newer F22 & F35, to Russian Radar being run and recorded by Russians. As well as doing so would mean less of the limited lifetime flight hours of the F22s being waisted. I don't remember if the cost per flight hour was also less at the time for the F117

[@raymondbertrand4416]

Excellent review!

[@khyronthethunderhawg6577]

When you go into the mountain, see if Joshua is still in the WOPR. If he is, try and play a game with him.

[@Future-Preps35]

Just not global thermo-nuclear war!!!!!!

[@khyronthethunderhawg6577]

@@Future-Preps35 Just a safe game or tic tac toe, # of players - zero

[@FloridaManMatty]

What is even better than using an airplane, in combat, that is difficult for adversaries to locate and track? Well… How about discreetly using the ONE airplane that those same adversaries know, with absolute certainty, they aren’t even looking for! It’s not that far out in left field to consider that one reason DOD and the USAF were so happy to let the world know that the F-117 was out there “for testing purposes” was to guarantee that, should one be seen outside of TTR and the adjacent areas, they had a handy cover for status. “Well duh! Of COURSE you spotted an F-117 far away from Type 1000! We told you we were still using them for training and testing! Your sighting isn’t really THAT big a big deal…” ~ USAF (probably) 😊

[@davidtotten3042]

It’s tone-ah-paw. I’ve heard the name butchered before, but you win the prize. Other than that, another great show!

[@robertc.9503]

He butchers it every time, and we correct him every time. Either he doesn't read the comments or he's doing it on purpose for engagement bait

[@robertc.9503]

Sounds like he almost said it right the second time. Maybe he is learning.

[@acemcplane]

I love the Nighthawk. It’s like using a game genie in DCS. It can even take out battleships without breaking a sweat. You can only really use it in mission planning sadly. I want to fly it.

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

If Alex ever gets tired of this work, I guarantee he has a lucrative career as an Audio Book reader! I don't read it listen to audio books, but that thought makes me interested in it! lmao

[@mcduvall2000]

I just saw one at a museum near OKC and boooy she's a beauty!!!

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

As strange as it sounds, I wonder what other "obsolete" platforms might still be useful. If I recall correctly from reading Ben Rich's "Skunkworks", the F-102 and F-106 had surprisingly low RCS (especially for the era) and that data was fed into the Have Blue program. Also of note: The F-102 was used in Vietnam for interdiction, because it had an infrared target designator. Not saying the Deuce is still on the loose, but the F-15 upgrade to fly by wire in the new F-15EX makes me wonder if other aircraft could be upgraded in the same manner.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🎖️🏆⭐🙏 Thank you to test pilot Lt Col Ken Dyson for testing the HaveBlue, that made the Nighthawk a reality. And, the B1-B and among other things, the Grumman X-29, which the Russians tried to copy in the Su-47 Berkut. His accomplishments in education, engineering, flying, military services and as a test pilot are amazing and worth researching and reading and watching seminars and presentations.

[@trevynlane8094]

I don't know if I believe it due to metal fatigue and wear and tear on the platforms. The airframes are likely incredibly worn out, and we lack the tooling to make more of them, just as we do with the F-22 or the Iowa class battleships. We can maintain them (barely), but we can't build new ones as the tooling was scrapped.

[@bluemarlin8138]

The tooling was most likely saved. It turns out it was a myth that the F-22 tooling was scrapped. Some was used for the F-35 production line, and the rest was preserved.

[@Shadowboost]

​@@bluemarlin8138 having been in the business, even if they have it all, they probably don't know how to use it. The process engineering paperwork and so on is probably a garbled mess, if not missing

[@twotrackjack2260]

​@@bluemarlin8138This is the first time I've heard that but would not be at all surprised if it's true.

[@FunnyQuailMan]

The tooling was not scrapped. It had been erroneously reported that the tooling was missing from storage sites prior to studies commissioned to determine the efficacy of restarting certain production lines, but upon inspection, all tooling was found to be in the correct storage site, fully accounted for & properly stored.

[@swiftycortex]

Lol our 1st generation stealth can represent our adversaries 5th generation stealth fighters in combat exercises and trainings. That is the coolest thing I've heard today!😁

[@jg3000]

F-117 has better all aspect stealth then F-22 and F-35.

[@Shadowboost]

​@@jg3000 it does not have better all aspect stealth than the F-22

[@jg3000]

@@Shadowboost Yes it does. Which heat signature are you most likely to pick up? F-22. It's much hotter. On the bright side F-22 has supercruise. Which means it closes the gap fast on other jets. It maybe matches F-117's stealth at subsonic. On airframe alone F-117 has better stealth. Is there some sensor cheat. Maybe. It's most likely possible to do to F-117. But F-117 can't run away like F-22.

[@DOI_ARTS]

The Night bird was used as aggressor airvraft in training as the J20 but I doubt the J20 is as stealth as the f117

[@bensmith5413]

Theatre entry platform with small diameter bombs to help punch holes for b2 and convential air into iads all behind a wave of cruise missiles and decoys. Truly terrifying.

[@nolean99z]

Still the coolest looking jet. IMO

[@SamKalivoda]

Another great video as always Alex. I would love to hear your thoughts on the news from a few weeks ago about Chinese scientists supposedly being able to detect stealth aircraft using starlink satellite signals. Keep up the great work!

[@cccalifornia7206]

Alex, when should we EXPECT to see the LATEST 6TH GENERATION FIGHTER from the U.S.A.???

[@factChecker01]

This is fascinating. I had no idea about the F117 laser designator. I guess the USAF is not keeping several of them operational just for fun.

[@erasmus_locke]

You haven't talked about the F/A-XX in a long time. Also you've never talked about the Pye Wackett missile

[@DelfinoGarza77]

I remember reading in popsci in 1990 that the f22 was not supposed to be as stealthy as f117a.

[@michaelinsc9724]

Absolutely fascinating!!!

[@Plaprad]

I too have seen F-117's landing at Ali Al Salem. But, that was over twenty years ago.

[@muchluv2221]

Can’t wait I hope so

[@ImpendingJoker]

I was based at Ali Al Salem Air Base during Operation Desert Thunder back in 1998. I was there when a very naughty "vegetable stand" locked up an RAF Tornado that was there as part of Operation Southern Watch. They returned promptly, armed themselves, went back out, and destroyed the offending plant vendor. We had a good laugh at that with the Iraqis said it was a farmers vegetable stand that the RAF destroyed.

[@tsechejak7598]

Modern systems can easily detect the F-117 unless its been upgraded or always had Klingon full EM spectrum cloaking device. I find it hard to believe the F-117 can evade the S300 system used in the theater in 2017 unless there were other growlers and EC-130s supporting it and even then it might not be very safe from getting engaged

[@lewiskemp5893]

This plane is too good to retire. They just quit flying it every day

[@Dejavuproned8]

I think we all know someone who "retired" but just keeps on working.... The nighthawk is that someone. Allegedly.

[@DarkRendition]

****I LOVE YOUR STORIES!!**** Your videos are INCREDIBLE 🎉❤!**** Please light yourself with cooler, more yellow lights. Currently your videos are lit too harshly lit. 😮A more natural color palette would be great. Additionally you should get some sound dampeners to deaden the echo in your audio. Your are on the verge of KZbin Perfection. ❤ Every time you make a drop I love it!!! -Stewart Graham Again, I LOVE your content. Just don’t mention Rapid Dragon unless it’s absolutely necessary 😊.

[@poodlescone9700]

The real life Macross VF-171.

[@bryonslatten3147]

The real trick is keeping a group of F-117 pilots and maintainers qualified to operate this aircraft at a moment’s notice.

[@seanmehlenbacher3575]

Scace force What's real what's not what's classified. Good work!

[@paulwood6729]

Given that the most advanced radar system these planes would be going up against is the S300, these planes are still highly effective.

[@argonx666]

The F117 is an awesome aircraft. The Darth Vader of Jets. LOL But if i had to choose which jet I'd be willing to lose if things went sideways it would have to be the F117 over the F22, or B2. The F117 tech is already out there from the one getting shot down over Yugoslavia in 1999. It has older tech, still HIGHLY classified tech, but older. Hate to see another F117 destroyed, but that's how it goes sometimes.

[@Klaus293]

Very interesting!

[@wigon]

You left out one HUGE reason why the F117 was a very good choice for such missions: The F-117 had already been shot down over Serbia and the Russians had already studied the wreckage and knew about that technology. However they still are dying to get ahold of an F-35, B2, or F-22. So if an F-117 was shot down, there would have been a very low probability of the Russians learning anything new about American Stealth technology.

[@raymondtuckerjr1886]

I've tuned in to you for a minute now, and you're top level, thanks for your work. I have a question. Is morph technology real?

[@verdebusterAP]

of course it did its stealth and operating it secret was piece of cake for the USAF

[@tsechejak7598]

White and gray KC-10 with a bug refueling from it, those were the good old 1980s of true US mil power!

[@outsider7658]

Than's Alex, for another great video. That "Have Blue", aka. "Hopeless Diamond", was the brainchild of the famous Ben Rich with his crew. And believe it or not, the Ruzzians, were the origin to this, amazing plane! The origin of this plane, was a dokument from a "Ruzzian!!, scientist. Nobody in USSR, gave a flying f***k, about this dokument, how's that, for irony? This document, forgotten for years, was the origin of the famous F-117. One engineer, forgot his name now, but in the Skunk Works, read it, and made it to a computer programme, to be able to, make/calculate, to be "invisible" to radar. The size of this plane, was like a marble! Check this out in the autobiography of Ben Rich, it's there, the whole story. He, Ben Rich, in a meeting, with the brass from the Air Force, rolled out some marbles, and told them: "This is our plane on the radar!" More or less, a quote. "Balsy": Right? And, as cherry on top: The Area 51, was a brainchild of the very legendary "Kelly" Johnson, named from the beginning as : " Paradise Ranch", correct me, if I am wrong. It was scouted and appeared as a salt lake, and to make it more "desirable" to move to, for the engineers, Kelly named it that. The rest, as said, is History. "Fooled You". Pleas, do Your best, to keep these birds flying!. from a Finn in Diaspora

[@JMAC479]

Got right up to the meat...then got to wait for part 2. Hopefully it's soon 🙂 It makes perfect sense to use the F-117 until the F-35 got all it's software for the laser designator. Given that scenario, I'd say it's more unlikely that they wouldn't have reactivated the F-117.

[@jackietate5222]

Imagine a variable wing, VTOL, 360° Thrust Vectoring F-117. F-177F

[@BLD426]

The firs CD player I bought is the best I ever bought. It's also the only one that still works.😁

[@GauntletKI]

6:08 type 1000 flyable storage. Wasn't that what they did with the SR-71. Packed them in that shed like sardines.

[@ConstContact]

Just yet another awesome ALEX, you didn’t actually have it pop up on the screen however I used to really dislike when a “Too Be Continued” Would appear on the screen just when I was sitting on the edge of my seat and boom there you go we’ll see you next week but it’s definitely worth the wait. Thank you so much. Awesome work!!

[@StrumVogel]

My favorite besides the YF-23.

[@Shadowboost]

While we're at it, Air Force should just consider building the F-23 as the NGAD with upgraded engines

[@chickenlittle2206]

You got great taste. God she is beautiful.

[@spacecat7247]

Probably, like the sr 71. Too valuable to let the sun set on it.

[@zackthebongripper7274]

If they are in active and combat ready they are likely upgraded too.

[@peteracker3743]

👉. Another excellent report 👍👍

[@ConstContact]

Just yet another awesome Video ALEX,! you didn’t actually have it pop up on the screen however I used to really dislike when a “Too Be Continued” Would appear on the screen just when I was sitting on the edge of my seat and boom there you go we’ll see you next week but it’s definitely worth the wait. Thank you so much. Awesome work!!

[@DG-sn2js]

Not Eli! It’s Ali! Been there done that in Kuwait (Virginia, Buehring, Ali, & Al Jab) for 10 years!

[@woderick9465]

We really got those Panamanians! 🎉🎉🎉

[@El_Que_Vee]

one meter wide airvent!!!! WOW!

[@SmoochyRoo]

Thought this was gonna be a 6 minute vid, IT'S THIRTY

[@ImpulseMuffin]

And it’s going to be a two parter

[@LCM-sq4pw]

You can always stop watching this video at any time you wanted to. So does it matter how long or short the video is.??? Ohh. .but you want everything compress in a 6 minutes video.??? Well..you can't always get what you want. Especially free stuff. 😂😂😂

[@SmoochyRoo]

@@LCM-sq4pw my comment wasn't that kind of comment, dimwit. I watched the entire thing.

[@paladin0654]

Regarding the "only" aircraft that could perform the mission....what about the F-15e?

[@DOI_ARTS]

After all these years they still haven't change the designation from F to B since it's more of a bomber thanan attack aircraft.

[@FreeJaffa92]

I could have sworn that I’ve seen this video before.

[@riskinhos]

F-117 is so good that there's parts of one in display in the belgrade aviation museum.

[@Shadowboost]

Fly the same route over and over and over again and you can hit anything, even with small arms

[@dblankenship88]

It’s really obvious why it went down. Look into it, it actually shows how complacent we got. Not to mention cocky.

[@SandmanAlpha24]

Yes

[@thorgot911]

My question is; where are they pulling rhe maintainers from?