Dale Zelko (R), a former U.S. stealth bomber pilot, uses a model F117 (Stealth) to show Zoltan Dani, a former Yugoslav colonel, where his plane was hit by a missile in front of Dani's house in Kovin, some 52 km (32 miles) east from Belgrade, October 31, 2012. Dani commanded the anti-aircraft unit that downed Zelko's plane near Belgrade during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia (then part of rump Yugoslavia) during the Kosovo war. Zelko and Dani met a decade after the war, became friends, and are now the subject of a documentary film that premiered this month in Belgrade. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (SERBIA - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT) 

Dale Zelko (L), a former U.S. stealth bomber pilot, smiles as Zoltan Dani, a former Yugoslav colonel, holds a model F117 (Stealth) in front of Dani's house in Kovin, some 52 km (32 miles) east from Belgrade, October 31, 2012. Dani commanded the anti-aircraft unit that downed Zelko's plane near Belgrade during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia (then part of rump Yugoslavia) during the Kosovo war. Zelko and Dani met a decade after the war, became friends, and are now the subject of a documentary film that premiered this month in Belgrade. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (SERBIA - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT) 

A C-17 Globemaster III strategic lift aircraft being delivered to the Canadian military (back) passes a US Air Force F-117 Stealth after arriving at Abbotsford, British Columbia August 11, 2007. The aircraft was flown from the Boeing factory in United States and Canada took delivery during a ceremony at the annual Abbotsford Air Show east of Vancouver. REUTERS/Andy Clark (CANADA) 

Officials from the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force base in Florida
are asking the local community not to feed birds on or near the base
because an increase in bird population poses a dangerous threat to
aircraft. Since January, the base experienced three bird air strikes to
aircraft, including damage to a T-38C, a KC-135R and most recently, an
F-117 during the air show. Annually, the Air Force experiences an
average of $34 million in damages from bird strikes. The Air Force also
loses, on average, one aircraft

per year due to the strikes. Undated file photo. REUTERS/Handout/U.S.
Air Force 

Officials from the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force base in Florida
are asking the local community not to feed birds on or near the base
because an increase in bird population poses a dangerous threat to
aircraft. Since January, the base experienced three bird air strikes to
aircraft, including damage to a T-38C, a KC-135R and most recently, an
F-117 during the air show. Annually, the Air Force experiences an
average of $34 million in damages from bird strikes. The Air Force also
loses, on average, one aircraft

per year due to the strikes. February 2000 file photo.
REUTERS/Handout/U.S. Air Force 

An F-117 Stealth Fighter in-flight on August 6, 2002 during Millennium
Challenge 2002 (MCO2). MC02 is the premier joint war fighting
experiment, bringing together live field forces and computer
simulation. Featuring live field exercises and computer simulation,
MC02 will incorporate elements of all military services, using the
largest computer simulation federation ever constructed for an
experiment of its kind. REUTERS/US Air Force/Aaron D. Allmon

DEFENSE 

U.S. Air Force personnel stand next to an U.S. Air Force F-117A Nighthawk combat aircraft which is on display at the tarmac of the International Aviation Exhibition ILA at Berlin's Schoenefeld airport June 5 while a Romanian L39 training aircraft passes in the background. The display at the ILA looks set to establish a new record for the number of aircraft on display. With more than 316 aircraft and helicopters registered to attend, the ILA presents the largest display at any aerospace show in the world and will open for the public on June 6. 

An F-117 Stealth fighter lands at Spangdahlem air base, south-west of Bonn, April 4. Twelve F-117s arrived today from the U.S. to be used in NATO airstrikes against Yugoslavia.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

An F-117 Stealth fighter of the US Airforce lands at Spangdahlem airbase, some 150 kms south-west of Bonn, April 4. Twelve F-117s arrived today from the U.S. to be used in NATO's airstrikes against Yugoslavia.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

A traffic policeman smiles while looking at a model of the U.S. F-117 Stealth fighter atop of a car during central Belgrade protest against NATO airstrikes March 29. Thousands of people lifted their spirits for at least a few hours at a rock concert on Sunday in Belgrade's central Republic Square staged in protest at the bombings. 

An F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter refuels March 27 from a 100th Aerial Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker based at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. NATO needs more aircraft and is considering new targets in its race to prevent [Yugoslav President Slobadan Milosevic] from "cleansing" Kosovo of ethnic Albanians, a senior NATO military source said March 29. 

The Commander of Yugoslav Air Force and Air Force Defence (RV and PVO), Lt. Gen. Spasoje Smiljanic addresses a news conference in Belgrade March 29. Smiljanic told reporters that in the five days of NATO strikes, his men shot down seven NATO planes, including a [F-117 stealth] warplane, three helicopters, about 30 cruise missiles, and three unmanned reconnaissance aircrafts. "That's what RV and PVO have done so far. The ground force air defence also had successes, but that's up to their commanders to say," said Smiljanic. 

A USAF F-16 Falcon takes off from Aviano's NATO air base March 28. NATO has not yet said whether the [F-117] that crashed last night during air operations over Yugoslavia was shot down. The pilot was rescued and is now believed to be back at Aviano for debriefing.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

A USAF F-117A Nighthawk Stealth takes off from Aviano air base March 28. NATO has not yet said whether the F-117 that crashed last night during air operations over Yugoslavia was shot down. The pilot was rescued and is now believed to be back at Aviano for debriefing.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

A USAF F-117A Nighthawk Stealth takes off from Aviano air base March 28. NATO has not yet said whether the F-117 that crashed last night during air operations over Yugoslavia was shot down. The pilot was rescued and is now believed to be back at Aviano for debriefing.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

UNDATED FILE PHOTO - An F-117 Stealth fighter plane flies in an undated file photo. Serbian television showed footage March 27 of what it said was a NATO plane shot down in Yugoslavia during air strikes against military positions. The footage watched by Belgrade residents showed burning wreckage and a close-up of identification marks including the figures AF-806 and insignia reading "Air Combat Command". 

UNDATED FILE PHOTO - An F-117 Stealth fighter plane drops a laser-guided "paveway" bomb during manoeuvres in an undated file photo. Serbian television showed footage March 27 of what it said was a NATO plane shot down in Yugoslavia during air strikes against military positions. The footage watched by Belgrade residents showed burning wreckage and a close-up of identification marks including the figures AF-806 and insignia reading "Air Combat Command". 

A United States Air Force F-117A Nighthawk Stealth jet takes off in the night from the Aviano's NATO air base March 27. Serbian television showed footage March 27 of what it said was a NATO plane shot down in Yugoslavia during air strikes against military positions. The footage watched by Belgrade residents showed burning wreckage and a close-up of identification marks including the figures AF-806 and insignia reading "Air Combat Command".

VP/CLH/ 

A United States Air Force F-117A Nighthawk Stealth jet takes off in the night from the Aviano's NATO air base March 27. Serbian television showed footage March 27 of what it said was a NATO plane shot down in Yugoslavia during air strikes against military positions. The footage watched by Belgrade residents showed burning wreckage and a close-up of identification marks including the figures AF-806 and insignia reading "Air Combat Command".
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

- UNDATED FILE PHOTO - An F-117 stealth jet drops a laser-guided "paveway" bomb during training. After the opening missile barrage on Yugoslav targets, witnesses said about 80 warplanes including radar-immune Stealth bombers had taken off from the NATO airbase in Aviano, Italy. 

USAF F-117A Nighthawk takes off from Aviano NATO air base March 24 to participate in air strikes on military targets in Kosovo. The attack was launched by NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana after Yugoslav President Milosevic refused to find a peaceful solution for the Kosovo crisi.

VP/ME 

USAF F-117A Nighthawk is ready to take off from Aviano NATO air base March 24, to participate in the NATO air strikes on military targets in Kosovo. The decision for the attack was launched by NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana after President Milosevic refused to resove the Kosovo crisis.

VP/ME 

- UNDATED FILE PHOTO - A U.S. Air force B-52 bomber drops a load of M117 750lb bombs in this undated file photo. The U.S.A.F.'s B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. B-52 bombers flying out of Fairford, England, supported the start of NATO's bombing campaign over Yugoslavia March 24. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. km/U.S. Air Force Photo REUTERS 

A U.S Air Force F-117 Stealth fighter is stopped by its parachute on landing at the NATO air base of Aviano in northern Italy, February 21 where it arrived from the Holloman base in New Mexico. The Italy-USA base is preparing for possible military action against Serb targets if the Kosovo peace talks fail.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

A USAF F-117 stealth fighter on the taxiway after landing at the NATO air base of Aviano February 21 from Holloman airbase in New Mexico. The Italian-USA base will be ready for possible military action against Serb targets if Belgrade fails to embrace a Kosovo peace accord in the negotiations at [Rambouillet near Paris.]
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

A USAF F-117 stealth fighter on the taxiway after landing at the NATO air base of Aviano February 21 from Holloman airbase in New Mexico. The Italian-USA base will be ready for possible military action against Serb targets if Belgrade fails to embrace a Kosovo peace accord in the negotiations at Rambouillet near Paris.

VP/GB 

USAF F-117 Stealth figther lands at NATO air base of Aviano in northern Italy, February 21 from the Holloman base in New Mexico. The Italian-USA base will be ready for the possible military action against Serb targets if Belgrade fails to embrace a Kosovo peace in the negotiations at a secluded chateau in Rambouillet near Paris.

VP/ME 

A U.S Air Force F-117 Stealth fighter is stopped by its parachute on landing at the NATO air base of Aviano in northern Italy, February 21 where it arrived from the Holloman base in New Mexico. The Italy-USA base is preparing for possible military action against Serb targets if the Kosovo peace talks fail.

VP/AS 

USAF F-117 Stealth figther lands at NATO air base of Aviano in northern Italy, February 21 from the Holloman base in New Mexico. The Italian-USA base will be ready for the possible military action against Serb targets if Belgrade fails to embrace a Kosovo peace in the negotiations at a secluded chateau in Rambouillet near Paris.

VP/ME 

USAF F-117 Stealth figther lands at NATO air base of Aviano in northern Italy, February 21 from the Holloman base in New Mexico. The Italian-USA base will be ready for the possible military action against Serb targets if Belgrade fails to embrace a Kosovo peace in the negotiations at a secluded chateau in Rambouillet near Paris.

VP/ME 

An Air Force F-117 stealth fighter jet rolls out of the hangar at Holloman Air Force Base late November 14 to begin the 10-hour trip to a Persian Gulf deployment and possible air strike against Iraq. The United States continue to build up military forces in the region after [President Clinton refused to accept Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's] latest offer to end the crisis. 

An Air Force pilot climbs into the cockpit of a F-117 stealth fighter jet at Holloman Air Force Base late November 14 to begin the 10-hour trip to a Persian Gulf deployment and possible air strike against Iraq. The United States continues to build up military forces in the region.

JM/ELD/KM 

An Air Force pilot settles into the cockpit of a F-117 stealth fighter jet at Holloman Air Force Base late November 14 prior to leaving on the 10-hour trip to a Persian Gulf deployment and possible air strike against Iraq. The United States continue to build up military forces in the region after President Clinton refused to accept Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's latest offer to end the crisis.

JM/ELD/ME 

An Air Force F-117 stealth fighter jet rolls out of the hangar at Holloman Air Force Base late November 14 to begin the 10-hour trip to a Persian Gulf deployment and possible air strike against Iraq. The United States continue to build up military forces in the region after President Clinton refused to accept Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's latest offer to end the crisis.

JM/ELD/ME 

- UNDATED FILE PHOTO - [President Clinton] on November 11 ordered substantial new forces to the Gulf, including 129 aircraft and 3,000 more Army soldiers, one day after accelerating deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise to the region. The additional forces converging on the Gulf include 18 big B-52 and B-1 bombers along with 12 radar-avoiding F-117A "stealth" jets. Two Patriot missile batteries, capable of blasting Iraqi Scud missiles, also will be sent. Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) flies a diamond pattern formation over the Enterprise in this undated file photo. 

- FILE PHOTO 12SEP96 - The United States has pledged radar-avoiding F-117A attack jets, shown in an 1996 file photo taken from a refueling tanker aircraft, to a NATO force of up to 430 warplanes that could blast Serbian military targets, U.S. defense officials said October 8. 

- UNDATED FILE PHOTO - The United States has pledged radar-avoiding B-2 bombers, shown in an undated photo, and F-117A attack jets to a NATO force of up to 430 warplanes that could blast Serbian military targets, U.S. defense officials said October 8. It would be the first combat use of America's batwing B-2s, the world's most advanced, and most expensive, warplanes. Each is capable of dropping 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of satellite-guided "smart" bombs and costs around $2 billion. 

US Airforce F-117A Nighthawk Stealth fighter plane sits on the tarmaq at Kuwaiti Army Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base February 24 guarded by US soldiers. The tiny Arab Gulf state has been taking several measures in recent weeks for fear former occupier Iraq would retaliate against it if attacked by British and American forces based in Kuwait. 

A United States Air Force KC-10 tanker bound for the Persian Gulf gets an airborne refueling from the boom of a KC-135 tanker plane at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The tanker and eight F117 stealth fighters were in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

A United States Air Force F117 stealth fighter is flying off the wing of a USAF KC135 tanker plane as it continues its fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia after making a mid-air refueleing rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. Eight stealth fighters were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

United States Air Force KC135 tanker pilot Captain Steve McQuirk (L) adjusts instruments in preparation for airborne refueling of US planes bound for the Persian Gulf as co-pilot Captain Jim Pompano (R) checks order documents as they approach a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The plane was meeting several KC-10 aerial tankers and eight F117 stealth fighters who are in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

Master Sgt. Jim Morman, seen reflected in the mirror of a periscope (Top-R) guides the refueling boom of a KC135 tanker plane into a KC-10 tanker bound for the Persian Gulf at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The tanker and eight F117 stealth fighters were in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

Two United States Air Force F117 stealth fighters continue their fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, as they leave a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. Eight stealth fighters were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

A United States Air Force F117 stealth fighter approaches the rear of a KC135 tanker plane as the fighter and seven other stealth fighters arrive at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean, 700 miles off Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The eight fighters, in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build-up its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. 

A United States Air Force KC-10 tanker bound for the Persian Gulf gets an airborne refueling from the boom of a KC135 tanker plane at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The tanker and eight F117 stealth fighters were in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

United States Air Force KC135 tanker pilot Captain Steve McQuirk (L) adjusts instruments in preparation for airborne refueling of US planes bound for the Persian Gulf as co-pilot Captain Jim Pompano (R) checks order documents as they approach a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The plane was meeting several KC-10 aerial tankers and eight F117 stealth fighters who are in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

A United States Air Force F117 stealth fighter is flying off the wing of a USAF KC135 tanker plane as it continues its fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia after making a mid-air refueleing rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. Eight stealth fighters were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

Master Sgt. Jim Morman, seen reflected in the mirror of a periscope (Top-R) guides the refueling boom of a KC135 tanker plane into a KC-10 tanker bound for the Persian Gulf at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The tanker and eight F117 stealth fighters were in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

Two United States Air Force F117 stealth fighters continue their fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, as they leave a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. Eight stealth fighters were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis. PLS NOTE: SOME DISTORTION IS VISIBLE FROM PLANE WINDOW).

IRAQ USA 

Two United States Air Force F117 stealth fighters approach the rear of a KC135 tanker plane as a group of eight stealth fighters arrive at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles off of Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The eight fighters, in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The U.S. military continues to build its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

A United States Air Force F117 stealth fighter approaches the rear of a KC135 tanker plane as the fighter and seven other stealth fighters arrive at a mid-air refueling rendezvous over the Atlantic Ocean, 700 miles off Bangor, Maine and 300 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, November 20. The eight fighters, in the midst of a fifteen hour nonstop flight to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, were refueled by KC-10 tankers travelling with them to the Gulf after those tankers received fuel from three KC135 tankers flying out of Bangor. The US military continues to build-up its forces in the Gulf region despite indications of a diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis.

IRAQ USA 

The pilot of an F-117A stealth fighter ejects from his craft just before the plane tumbled to the ground September 14. Amateur video showed parts of the plane breaking off as it started to climb after flying level over the airfield at an air show. Four people on the ground suffered minor injuries after pieces of the plane fell into houses, but the pilot walked away unharmed.
**POOR QUALITY DOCUMENT** 

Firefighters attempt to douse the flames at the scene where a U.S. Air Force F-117a stealth fighter broke up and crashed into three houses outside Baltimore September 14 after the pilot ejected from the aircraft during an airshow. Four people on the ground suffered minor injuries.

MILITARY CRASH 

Firefighters attempt to douse the flames at the scene where a U.S. Air Force F-117a stealth fighter broke up and crashed into three houses outside Baltimore September 14 after the pilot ejected from the aircraft during an airshow. Four people on the ground suffered minor injuries.

MILITARY CRASH 

Eight-year-old Matt Picarello holds his toy replica F-117A Stealth fighter plane which his mother Linda bought for him September 14 at the air show at Martin State Airport where an F-117A crashed into Picarello's neighbourhood. Picarello was at the volunteer firehouse awaiting word on when they may return home.

MILITARY CRASH 

Matt Picarello, 8, plays with a couple of toy replicas of a F-117A stealth fighter, the type of plane that crashed at an air show at Martin State Airport near Baltimore September 14, as his mother Linda talks on a cellphone in the background at the volunteer firehouse while they await word on when they can return to their home on Chester Rd, the street where the plane crashed. The U.S. Air Force F-117A stealth fighter broke up and crashed into three houses after the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Four people were injured and no-one was killed in the incident.

MILITARY CRASH 

FILE PHOTO 12SEP96 - A U.S. Air Force F-117A Stealth fighter, similar to the F-117 shown, crashed in Maryland September 14 after the pilot ejected from the aircraft during an air show, the Defense Department said. Pam Miles of the Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department which responded to crash, said there were no fatalities.

MILITARY CRASH 

FILE PHOTO 12SEP96 - A U.S. Air Force F-117A Stealth fighter, similar to the F-117 shown, crashed in Maryland September 14 after the pilot ejected from the aircraft during an air show, the Defense Department said. Pam Miles of the Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department which responded to crash, said there were no fatalities.

MILITARY CRASH 

FILE PHOTO 12SEP96 - A United States Air Force F-117 stealth fighter rolls away from a KC-135 tanker after a mid-air refueling while en route to a deployment in the Middle East. A U.S. Air Force F-117A stealth fighter crashed in Maryland after the pilot ejected from the aircraft during an air show.

MILITARY CRASH 

A United States Air Force F-117 stealth fighter flies off the wing of a KC-135 tanker after a mid-air refueling over the state of Missouri, while en route to a deployment in the Middle East September 12.