To my understanding these are really Bombers. but during testing the AF use "F" instead of "B" cause they didn't want anyone to catch on they were testing a new Bomber.
Posted on 06/29/2004 5:06:21 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that ten U.S. F-117A stealth fighters would be deployed to a U.S. airbase in the southern part of Korea to take part in military training that will last several months.
An official with the Ministry said, On Wednesday and Thursday, F-117A aircraft will move to Korea from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico and will engage in military training in Korea for several months.
This would be the fourth time that stealth fighters have been deployed to Korea since 1993, 1996, and 2003, when those planes participated in U.S.-ROK joint military exercises such as the Foal Eagle (FE) exercise or the Team Spirit (TS) exercise. In that sense, it is quite rare for stealth fighters to be deployed to Korea when large training exercises are not in progress.
Sources familiar with the situation said the move has symbolic implications that demonstrate that despite USFK force reductions, U.S. fighting power in Korea would be strengthened. The 10 F-117As to be deployed in Korea represent about 20 percent of all stealth fighter-bombers (55 units) possessed by the U.S. and also the largest number the U.S. has ever deployed to Korea.
A high-ranking official with the Seventh U.S. Air Force said recently the in accordance with the global U.S. military reorganization, even if USFK numbers come down, deterrence against the North would not weaken, and with this in mind, core U.S. airpower units would be maintained.
Accordingly, the 51 Fighter Wing and 8th Fighter Wing, stationed at Osan and Kunsan airbases, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron and intelligence units like the Korea Combat Operations & Intelligence Center (KCOIC) would not be touched, and U.S. reductions are to focus primarily on support units. The U.S. Seventh Air Force maintains about 70 F-16s, 20 A-10 "Tank Killers," three U-2Ss, and 9,100 men. The U.S. plans to officially inform the Korean side which units exactly would be withdrawn and its timetable next month during bilateral talks on USFK reorganizations to be held in Seoul.
Well thats a not-so-subtle hint, is it?
:)
The hogs are staying!
Hmmmmmmm.
Some people, you just can't reach, which is why the stealth fighters are there, today. If that's the way Kimmy wants it - he gets it!
Three weeks after the rumors of the US Carriers heading out to sea. Hmmm, three weeks transit time to Korea. I am sure a pure co-inky-dink.
Gonna be a great training session. Wonder where the bomb range is?
Training? You mean like blowing up that North Korean train?
Sounds like someone is going to get a sever wake up call!
Nothing ruins your day like a J-DAM in you nuke warehouse in the middle of the night!
To my understanding these are really Bombers. but during testing the AF use "F" instead of "B" cause they didn't want anyone to catch on they were testing a new Bomber.
So, if NK gets frisky their first move will include a massive missile strike (or a nuke) on that base, to get the ghosts. Of course, any such move makes them toast anyway as our missile subs can likely hit them in 7-10 minutes, or carrier based strike aircraft within half an hour.
Nightmare scenario, though, especially for Kim Jong-mentally Il's poor slaves...
Those F-117s will show up quite nicely on the antiquated low band search radar that the North Koreans use.
Norks are ticked about F-117's showing up at their doorstep too often. Their presence continue to make Norks guessing, which is not a bad thing.
Chinese are now doing their naval maneuver at the Taiwan Strait. Many U.S. carriers are at sea. Ryongchon was blown up pretty good two months ago.
A lot of activities.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think these aircraft have some air-to-air missle firing capability, so they can fill a little bit of a fighter role.
Mainly a bomber, though, true enough.
The F-117 doesn't have a cannon, nor does it carry air to air missiles. It has two internal bays for carrying laser guided bombs.
http://explanation-guide.info/meaning/F-117-Nighthawk.html
Found this....FYI
Thanks!
I'm still mighty happy to have them on our side!
Hey....to anyone in the know out there....weren't these F-117's "busted" in eastern Europe? I mean, weren't they proven to be not too stealthy anymore? Something to do with cell phone towers and being able to "triangulate" on their positions. I hope I'm wrong on this.
One was downed during the Bosnia debacle, and the pieces recovered by the Serbs were then taken to Russia for analysis and reverse engineering.
I don't recall exactly how the SAM aquired the target.
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