I saw a Stealth

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M., Oct. 31, 2006 – After 25 years of service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter, is about to retire.
The technology that once made it unique has now caught up to it, and newer fighter aircraft are joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind.

We were in Alamogordo, New Mexico looking for the stealth. It is so hard to see in the air.
Finally after looking for days we got a picture of one,it was very exciting for someone who had never see them before.

F-117A Nighthawk

Although its technology is 25 years old, the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter is still one of the most advanced planes in the world.
All sharp angles and radar-absorbing skin, its specialty is flying low into heavily protected areas to drop its 2,000-pound precision bombs on bunkers and command posts, clearing the way for less stealthy fighters, helicopters and troops.
The Nighthawk was the stuff of science fiction. It could fly across enemy skies and through the world's most advanced radar systems without being detected. This capability allowed the aircraft to perform reconnaissance missions and bomb critical targets, all without the enemy knowing who or what had hit them.
It doesn't matter what defenses you put up, how deep you try to hide or how much you surround yourself with collateral damage, this airplane will come and get you."

The Stelth

 

Humming Bird

Resembling a humming bird despite its 43-foot wingspan. Its skin absorbs radar rather than reflecting it, and the plane is an array of flat angled surfaces.

The nation's entire fleet of Nighthawks is based at Holloman Air Base in New Mexico under the 49th Fighter Wing, but planes are deployed around the globe. The cockpit seats one pilot and they come at a price tag of $45 million.
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M., Oct. 31, 2006 – After 25 years of service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter, is about to retire.
The technology that once made it unique has now caught up to it, and newer fighter aircraft are joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind.

White Sands Plants

New Mexico State Flower

The Soap Tree Yucca, is New Mexico's state flower.
It is one of the 8 plants that grow on the shifting gypsum White Sand Dunes.
The dunes will bury the plants that do not grow fast enough to out run the sand that is covering it, causing it to die.
The Yucca stems grow rapidly to keep the leaves above the ground.

White Sands National Monument

Alamogordo, New Mexico





Great wall like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world’s largest dune field.

Shifting Winds

Start your visit to White Sands National Monument by first stopping at the Visitors Center.
They will tell you how it takes a wind of 17 MPH to start moving the sand.

Falling Rain Disolves Sand

Because of rain falling on the sand dunes, it dissolves some of the gypsum and cements the sand grains together, creating a crude form of plaster of Paris.
This enables you to walk on the sand very easily.

Sleding on Sand

The day we were there, people had sand sleds out and was sliding on the sand much like you would on the snow.

Loose Sand

Only the top few inches of sand are loose, but it drifts and moves consentingly.

Astronauts Have Landed

Because of its hardened surface the astronauts have landed on the sand here at White Sands Missile Range.

White Sands National Monument

There is a $3.00 per person charge to go out on the 8 mile loop drive through the park.
There are camping spots available as well.
Located on Hwy 70, 15 miles from Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruses, New Mexico.