The F-117 Stealth Fighter, also known as the "Nighthawk," is being retired by the U.S. Air Force after 27 years. The last active jet flew from Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico on April 21, 2008 to Tonopah Test Range Airfield in Nevada, where the jet made its debut in 1981. The F-117s will be replaced by F-22 Raptors, which also employ stealth technology.Air Force Technology: F-117A Nighthawk - Stealth Fighter Attack Aircraft

The F-117 was not actually invisible to radar, it was just more difficult for radar to "see" because of its shape and design. The technology deflected enemy radar signals into narrow beams, targeted away from the radar detector.Air Force Technology: F-117A Nighthawk - Stealth Fighter Attack Aircraft

"We didn't know if it was going to work. The engineers all assured us that it would...After about the fourth night, we realized this stealth technology really worked and we were begging to get back up into the air and fly as many missions as we could."—Brig. Gen. Greg Feest discussing flying an F-117 in Operation Desert StormAir Force Link: Nighthawk pilots reflect on F-117's legacy (March 10, 2008)