1 source · first reported 6d ago
The F-117 Nighthawk was deployed for the first time in combat on December 20, 1989, in Panama, as part of an operation to capture dictator Manuel Noriega. The stealth fighter was used to target the Panamanian Defense Force barracks. This marked the first combat use of the secretive and effective F-117.
The F-117's first combat deployment showcased its capabilities as a stealth fighter, demonstrating its ability to penetrate enemy airspace undetected. This operation highlighted the strategic significance of the F-117 in modern warfare.
How this story unfolded across sources, oldest first.