Holloman Air Force Base is taking the first step to begin phasing the F-117 stealth fighters, which will be replaced by two squadrons of F-22s.
The F-117 Dragon test team the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Detachment 1 will discontinue its operations following an inactivation ceremony Sept. 15.
Detachment 1 has supported the stealth fighter program for 24 years, testing hardware, software and weapons upgrades.
The 50 F-117s based at Holloman will be completely phased out by 2008.
I understand that the F-22 is a superior to the F-117, but is it wise to be phasing out such an effective weapons platform? Is the upkeep of these so high that we can just discard them already?