posted 08-01-2024 06:00 PM               

The Stafford Museum requested this specific aircraft ("Raven Beauty," #819) not only because of its extensive combat history, but because it had been flown into combat by Captain Anthony "Lazer" Lazarsky, who happened to be Senator Inhofe's long-time chief of staff, and the actual writer of the bill that would release the aircraft for museum display. His name is seen on the canopy in honor of the work he did on the legislation to save several of these incredible aircraft for display.

After leaving NASA in 1975, Stafford resumed active duty with the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment was as the Commanding General of Edwards Air Force Base, and the Flight Test Center in California.

During this same period of time, Stafford witnessed an initial test of a small demonstration craft called “Have Blue” to see if its strange shape would make it less visible on radar. This was the first test of the technology that later became known as "stealth."

Within days of viewing the test data, Stafford wrote the original specifications for what would become the F-117 and then began the ultimately successful effort to win support from Congress.