Nighthawks over Panama: The Story of the F-117’s First Combat

Nighthawks over Panama: The Story of the F-117’s First Combat

Seeking Panama’s dictator Manuel Noriega on multiple drug trafficking charges, the U.S. deployed one of their most secretive and effective weapons for the first time in the darkness of Dec. 20, 1989. At 0101 hours on Dec. 20, 1989, the pitch black peaceful tropical night outside the Panamanian Defense Force (PDF) barracks was suddenly disturbed by two large explosions lighting up the sky and jarring soldiers from their restful sleep, confusing a…