The United States, searching for Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega on multiple drug trafficking charges, deployed one of its most secretive and effective weapons for the first time under cover of darkness on December 20, 1989.
At 01:01 on December 20, 1989, the pitch-black, peaceful tropical night outside the Panama National Guard (PDF) barracks was thrown into disarray by two loud explosions that suddenly lit up the sky, bombs falling from unseen and undetected aircraft in the night sky, depriving the soldiers of their restful sleep and confusing and alarming everyone in the area.
long journey
At dusk on December 19, 1989, eight unconventional aircraft belonging to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) left their secret base at Tonopah Proving Ground, Nevada. Little known to the American public and most of the world, this aircraft was a product of the famous Lockheed ‘Skunk Works’, known for producing technologically advanced aircraft in secret. The aircraft is built with new technology that makes it virtually invisible to radar and is equipped with advanced precision weapon guidance systems. Due to its stealth characteristics, this aircraft can fly its bombs straight and level for increased accuracy.
Painted black with an ominous look and designed to operate safely over enemy territory at night, the aircraft was known as the F-117A Nighthawk, but is often referred to as a ‘stealth fighter’, although in reality it is more of a night attack aircraft carrying precision-guided bombs. Thanks to the aircraft’s stealthy nature and pinpoint accuracy, the secrets of the United States Air Force (USAF) hidden in the Nevada desert were finally revealed and it was decided to use them for the first time on a critical mission.
Two aircraft were scheduled to fly the mission at launch time. action just causeThe remaining four were still intended for classified missions, while two were kept in reserve in case of mechanical problems or a low probability of being shot down. A total of seven aerial refuelings were required as they traveled more than 3,000 miles in nearly eight hours in the dark aboard a KC-10 tanker to Central America.
target
Carrying a single GBU-10 or GBU-27 laser-guided 2,000-pound bomb concealed in an internal bomb bay to maintain its stealth characteristics, the Nighthawk could deploy the bomb over an area the size of a phone booth or a five-foot circle with relative ease. But not only did they have to hit the designated target precisely, they had to do it at the exact predetermined time.
The intention was to disorient, but not kill, elite members of the Panama National Guard (PDF), known to be fiercely loyal to General Manuel Noriega of Rio Hato, while they slept in their barracks. The bomb was dropped in an open space at a safe distance from an occupied building, acting as a giant concussion grenade. Army patrols and other special forces immediately converged on the area along a nearby airstrip amid the chaos. The mission is further complicated by the fact that there is a nearby clinic with possibly civilian patients and teenage cadets in training. Hitting either one would be disastrous.
strike
As two F-117s broke away from the tanker and quietly disappeared despite the surveillance of E-3 AWACS (Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and Panamanian radar, the wind direction changed. To further complicate the situation, the plan was changed at the last minute so that the lead aircraft, piloted by Captain Greg Feest, would drop its bombs just in time for the second aircraft to attack. Confused communications and inaccurate coordinates led a second aircraft, piloted by Major Dale Hanner, to think he had reverted to the original plan and dropped the bomb 325 yards wide of the intended target.
Despite the target mix and the PDF being tipped off and already seen to be on high alert and defending the runway, the report said the explosion caused the desired chaos, with PDF soldiers running around in their underwear and some throwing their weapons and running away.
At 01:02 on December 20, two F-117s did not stay in their seats to watch the fireworks as an AC-130 Specter gunship and a pair of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters were scheduled to taxi down the runway along with a pair of AH-6 Little Birds. All of these aircraft are part of an air fleet of more than 300 aircraft assembled for the largest U.S. military operation since Vietnam.
The Apache was smuggled to Howard Air Force Base (AFB) inside a giant C-5 Galaxy transport plane. The helicopter only flew at night and was hidden in a hanger before dawn to prevent the PDFs from knowing they were at an air force base inside Panama.
Soon 144 C-130 and C-141 transport planes carrying troops, armored vehicles, weapons and equipment were dropping cargo in the largest airlift operation since World War II, fighter jets provided escort and KC-135s and KC-10s fueled the thirsty air fleet.
Air National Guard A-7 Corsair IIs and Howard Air Force Base A-37 Dragonfly attack aircraft are on standby if additional fixed-wing fire support is needed. The F-15 provided Combat Air Patrol (CAP) flights should the Panamanian Air Force encounter challenges. The F-15s were also ready to intercept any attempt by Noriega to flee the country by aircraft. Search and rescue aircraft were also deployed to strategic locations.
The remaining four F-117s, which had been assigned a separate mission to support special forces in the capture of Noriega, were canceled when intelligence revealed that he had not reached his assigned objectives.
result
The F-117 demonstrated its capabilities in combat for the first time against enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and did what was asked of it. Despite the aiming error, General Carl Steiner, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, was satisfied with the results and requested the use of F-117s for the operation.
The PDF was quickly overwhelmed by American forces, and Noriega evaded capture and eventually found refuge in the nuncio. Van Halen surrendered on January 3, 1990, ten days after being blown up with a cassette tape by the U.S. military and the constant coming and going of helicopters and intentional loud noises. He was taken prisoner, indicted, and sentenced. He passed away on May 29, 2017 due to complications during brain tumor surgery. He was 83 years old.
Captain Feest was chosen to lead the F-117 mission in Panama over the Major because of the secrecy of the program and his ability to bypass those who outranked him to provide the wing’s best performance. Colonel Feest won the squadron’s Top Gun award two years in a row and maintained a perfect 100% hit rating.
The F-117A proved to be far more valuable and lethal, achieving legendary status over Iraq in January 1991. Now Major Greg Feest will once again be on the front lines in the F-117A Nighthawk, hitting critical targets with pinpoint accuracy and timing.
