Former F-117 Nighthawk pilot Captain Thad Darger will be visiting the Air Zoo and sharing his exciting journey with the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Wing, of Holloman Air Force Base. Captain Darger was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for missions flown in our F-117 Nighthawk, Shaba. The Air Zoo's dedicated restoration volunteers are gearing up for the event as they complete the detailing, which matches the paint scheme under Captain Darger's command. Don't miss your opportunity to meet him!
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Thad Darger is a native of Sioux Falls, SD who attended the United States Air Force Academy prior to serving on active duty as an Air Force pilot for over eleven years. Thad accumulated almost 3,000 flight hours in the T-38, B-1, and F-117 Stealth Fighter. Thad flew multiple combat missions in the Stealth Fighter in 1999 during Operation Allied Force over Yugoslavia and Kosovo, attacking multiple strategic targets during the conflict. Following his Air Force career, Thad was a United Airlines Pilot and for the past twenty years has been involved in sales leadership for a variety of medical device companies.
Thad has been married for over thirty-one years to his wife, Danyel, and they have four children including a daughter that currently serves as an Instructor Pilot in the C-17 Globemaster in Charleston, SC. Thad and Danyel have lived in Central Massachusetts for the past eighteen years.
Thad’s various Air Force decorations include, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
