Title: Page born: April 01 2002

37th TFW/FW

Below are the individual wings and squadrons that have operated the F-117A in operational and testing roles in the past. For past and present support and maintenance squadrons, please see the"Support Squadrons" page.)

Click the links to find fellow squadron members on Military.com's unit homepages.

37th Tactical Fighter Wing
Also 37th TFW-P (Provisional)
Later 37th FW

"Defenders of the Crossroads"

The 37th TFW took over the identity of the deactivated 4450th TG. The 37th TFW took over the three F-117A squadrons at Tonopah. Col. Anthony J (Tony) Tolin remained as commander when the change took place. It was under the 37th TFW that the F-117A first saw combat against Panama in OPERATION JUST CAUSE. It was also the 37th TFW that went to war against Iraq in OPERATIONS DESERT STORM.

October 5, 1989
Under the continuing command of Col. Anthony J (Tony) Tolin the 37th TFW takes over the role the 4450th TG previously served.

August 16, 1990
Col. Alton C. "Al" Whitley Jr. (previously 1st commander of Det 1, 4450th TG (Q-unit)) takes command of the 37th TFW.

December 20, 1990
The deployed members of the 37th TFW are given the designation 37th TFW (P). This provisional wing ("Team Stealth") was based at King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. Team Stealth was made up of 800 people from Tonopah and 700 other people from 36 locations in the U.S. Air Force. The provisional modifier was dropped when the F-117A squadrons returned to the United States.

October 1, 1991
The 37th TFW becomes the 37th FW with no change of command. This drop of "Tactical" was a change that occurred across the board throughout the USAF.

April, 1992
The 37th FW receives its fourth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period of March 16 1990- March 15 1992.

May 9, 1992
The 37th FW and most of it's sub-units change their Operating Location (OL) from Tonopah Test Range, Nellis AFB, Nevada to Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

July 8, 1992
The 37th FW was inactivated, becoming the 49th FW. Col. Alton C. "Al" Whitley Jr. relinquished command of the F-117A's to then current 49 FW commander Brig Gen. Lyold "Fig" Newton.

415th TFS "Nightstalkers"
Later 415th FS "Nightstalkers"
Later 415th FS "Nighthawks"

The 415th TFS "Nightstalkers" came into existence with the personal and equipment of the former 4450th TS. Lt. Col. William J. Lake remained as commander when the change took place. Later, as part of USAF reorganization all units dropped the word "Tactical" form their name. Finally, there was another change in USAF nomenclature. This put an end to emblems and nicknames with satanic connotations, no matter how obscure. Under contingency plans of the late 1980's, this squadron was the Atlantic component of the F-117A community.

October 5, 1989
Under the continuing command of Lt. Col. William J. Lake the 4450th TS is deactivated and it's identity is transferred to newly activated 415th TFS "Nightstalkers"

November 3, 1989
Lt. Col. Ralph Getchell takes command of the 415th TFS.

December 19, 1989
Eight F-117As from the 416th TFS take part in OPERATION JUST CAUSE. Some of the pilots involved came from the 415th TFS.

August 26, 1990
The 415th FS deploys to Saudi Arabia as part of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD. (NOTE: Atlantic component)

June 7, 1991
Lt. Col. Bruce E. Kreider takes command of the 415th TFS

October 1, 1991
The 415th TFS becomes the 415th FS with no change of command. This drop of "Tactical" was a change that occurred across the board throughout the USAF.

Late 1992
The 415th FS "Nightstalkers" becomes the 415th FS "Nighthawks" with no change of command. This change throughout the USAF in nomenclature put an end to emblems and nicknames with satanic connotations, no matter how obscure.

July 8, 1992
The 415th FS "Nighthawks" changes it's OL with no designation change from Tonopah Test Range Nevada, to Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

February 25, 1993
Lt. Col. William G. Aten III takes command of the 415th TFS

July 30, 1993
The 415th FS deactivates and becomes the 9th FS "Iron Knights" with no change of command.

416th TFS "Ghostriders"
Later 416th FS "Ghostriders"
Later 416th FS "Knight Riders"

The 416th TFS "Ghostriders" came into existence with the personal and equipment of the former 4451st TS. Lt. Col. Gerald C. Carpenter became commander when the change took place. Later, as part of USAF reorganization all units dropped the word "Tactical" form their name. Finally, there was another change in USAF nomenclature. This put an end to emblems and nicknames with satanic connotations, no matter how obscure. Under contingency plans of the late 1980's, this squadron was the Pacific component of the F-117A community.

October 5, 1989
The 416th TFS "Ghostriders" is activated and placed under the command of Lt. Col. Gerald C. Carpenter. The squadron received it's personal and equipment from the deactivated 4451st TS "Grim Reapers".

December 19, 1989
Eight F-117As from the 416th TFS take part in OPERATION JUST CAUSE.

August 10, 1990
Lt. Col. Gregory "Greg" T. Gonyea takes command of the 416th TFS.

December 2, 1990
The 416th TFS "Ghostriders" deploy to Saudi Arabia 5 months after the 415th TFS did. (NOTE: Atlantic component (415th) deployed first, than Pacific component(416th))

October 1, 1991
The 416th TFS becomes the 416th FS with no change of command. This drop of "Tactical" was a change that occurred across the board throughout the USAF.

December 31, 1991
Lt. Col. Michael T. Merritt takes command of the 416th FS.

Late 1992
The 416th FS "Ghostriders" becomes the 416th FS "Knight Riders" with no change of command. This change throughout the USAF in nomenclature put an end to emblems and nicknames with satanic connotations, no matter how obscure.

July 8, 1992
The 416th FS "Knight Riders" changes it's OL with no designation change from Tonopah Test Range to Holloman AFB.

July 30, 1993
The 416th FS deactivates and becomes the 8th FS "Black Sheep. Lt. Col. Michael T. Merritt relinquished command of the F-117As to current 8th FS commander Lt. Col. James P. Hunt.

417th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron "Bandits"
Later 417th Fighter Squadron "Bandits"

The 417th TFTS "Bandits" came into existence with the personal and equipment of the former 4453rd TES. The squadron served as the RTU (replacement training unit) for the F-117A and took over the 4453rd's F-117A and T-38 aircraft. Later, as part of USAF reorganization all units dropped the word "Tactical" form their name. Training units also dropped "training" as well.

October 5, 1989
The 417th TFTS "Bandits" is activated as placed under the command of Lt. Col. Keat Griggers. The squadron received it's personal and equipment from the deactivated 4453rd TES "Grim Reapers".

March 23, 1990
Lt. Col. Robert J. "Bob" Mahar takes command of the 417th TFTS.

May 10, 1991
Lt. Col. Barry E. Horne takes command of the 417th TFTS.

June 11, 1992
Lt. Col. John S. Farnham takes command of the 417th TFTS.

October 1, 1991
The 417th TFTS becomes the 417th FS with no change of command. This drop of "Tactical" and "Training" was a change that occurred across the board throughout the USAF.

July 8, 1992
The 417th FS "Bandits" changes it's OL with no designation change from Tonopah Test Range, Nevada to Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

December, 1993
The 417th FS deactivates and becomes the 7th FS "Bunyaps". Lt. Col. John S. Farnham relinquished command to current 7th FS commander Lt. Col. James Phillips Jr.

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