F-117 STEALTH FIGHTER UNITS OF OPERATION DESERT STORM (Osprey Combat Aircraft No 68)

Warren Thompson

Osprey, 2007

The end result of the USAF's Have Blue program launched in the mid-1970s, the F-117 was developed by Lockheed's legendary Advanced Development Company. Embodying Stealth technology which made the jet virtually invisible to radar, the first of 59 productiion aircraft was delivered to the USAF in August 1982. Issued to the top secret 4450th Tacticle Group at Tonopah in Nevada, the unit achieved operational capability in October 1983. It was not until November 1988 that the F-117 was revealed to the world by the Department of Defense, and a year later the jet made its combat debut during Operation Just Cause in Panama. The last Nighthawk was delivered to the USAF in mid-1990, and in August of that year the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed en masse to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. F-117s subsequently led the opening strikes of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991. The aircraft's legendary exploits are revealed in this book by the pilots that flew the stealth fighter in combat. 88 pages

*Comprehensive histories of fighting aircraft and their crews, highlighting their vital role in the development of warfare in the 20th and 21st centuries

*A unique source of information, researched by recognized experts and brought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves

*Concise, authoritative text is supported by at least 30 original color profiles, specially commisioned scale drawings, and the best archival photography from around the world