Secretive F-117As spotted near Nellis during Red Flag 21-3

News

Earlier this month, four US Air Force (USAF)-operated Lockheed F-117A Nighthawks were observed flying missions over northern Rachel, Nevada, during the final days of Exercise Red Flag 21-3, which was held 139 miles away at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), near Las Vegas.

The four stealth attack aircraft were observed flying in two pairs over northern Rachel on August 2. The initial two F-117As passed through at 1310hrs (local time), followed by the second pair at approximately 1410hrs. Rod McDonough – an aviation photographer who sent images from the recent sighting to Key.Aero – noted that it looked “like there were three different airframes” involved in the secretive mission that day.

F-117A over northern Rachel 02-08-21 [Rod McDonough]
One of the four Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft to be observed flying over northern Rachel in Nevada in the afternoon of August 2, 2021. Although these examples of the famous 'Black Jet' were conducting their mysterious mission during the latter days of Exercise Red Flag 21-3 at Nellis AFB, their involvement in the multinational event remains unconfirmed. Rod McDonough

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Originally published in Key.Aero