HMM: F-117s Spotted While Refueling from KC-46.

The photos were shared on X by freelance news photojournalist Matt Hartman, who kindly allowed us to include them in this article. These are possibly the first photos of the KC-46 refueling the F-117 since the announcement of the certification effort.

In fact, as we reported in September 2024 here at The Aviationist, the U. S. Air Force was planning to certify the F-117A Nighthawk to be able to refuel from the KC-46A Pegasus. Although the F-117 was officially retired in 2008, the stealth jet continued to fly unofficially from Tonopah Test Range (TTR) airfield in Nevada, and the service’s current plan is to keep the aircraft flying at least until 2034.

This is far from the first time that the “retired” attack jets have been spotted in the air.