Goat Suckers designates the Q-Unit of the 4452nd Test Squadron, charged in the early 1980s with testing and evaluating a growing squadron of top-secret stealth fighters at the Tonopah Test Range.
In addition to the stealth fighters, the Goat Suckers flew a collection of A-7 Corsair fighters, which were used as chase planes and proficiency trainers. The A-7 also became a cover story for the stealth fighter when its existence was still classified. When stealth pilots were asked about the 4452nd Test Squadron, they would claim that they flew A-7s.
The name Goatsuckers refers to a family of nocturnal birds that, folklore held, fed on goat’s milk at night. Included in the Goatsucker family of birds is chordeiles minor: the Nighthawk.
Nighthawk is the nickname of the F-117A stealth fighter; the existence of the F-117A was classified until November 8, 1988.
