An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hanoi Taxi shuttles C-141 into history books

  • Published
  • By Eugene Vandeventer
  • Air Force Reserve Command History Office
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Arguably the most famous C-141 Starlifter in the Air Force inventory touched down for the last time at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio on May 6. The “Hanoi Taxi,” tail number 66-0177 flew its final scheduled mission in preparation for permanent display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The “Hanoi Taxi” is best remembered for its role in Operation HOMECOMING carrying the first 40 American prisoners of war from Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport to Clark Air Base, The Philippines. 

On May 5, the Hanoi Taxi repeated the moment in history by flying approximately 100 former Vietnam POWs in what was the last mission for the cargo workhorse.
There was much pride and melancholy in the final flight as airmen reminisced about the distinguished history of the C-141, this particular tail number, and the thought that it will never take flight again. 

Since its maiden flight on Dec. 17, 1963, some 285 Air Force Starlifters - under A, B, and C model configurations – have carried cargo, passengers, and patients around the globe in support of national defense. The Starlifter will long be remembered for bringing airlift capabilities into the jet age; replacing the C-124 piston-driven propeller aircraft. The Starlifter’s introduction into the Air Force inventory was revolutionary. Logistics planners could now depend on the successful delivery of cargo and forces within hours; a notable achievement that was unthinkable in the years before its development. Speed, versatility, and a high degree of reliability gave the Starlifter its notoriety -- her crews its lasting spirit. 

From the Vietnam of 1960 to present-day Iraq, Air Force and Air Force Reserve C-141 crews have played a significant force projection role. By 1965 this multi-capable transport had become the primary platform for long-range aeromedical airlift. Between 1965 and 1973, Military Airlift Command, in conjunction with the Air Force Reserve, performed more than 400,000 patient movements, including 168,000 allied battle casualties, with a perfect flying record. 

The Starlifter’s versatility meant that, within hours, medical professionals could extract and attend to wounded service members while en route from battle zones to critical care facilities outside the theater. This capability helped to drastically reduce the number of fatalities due to patients not receiving immediate medical care. 

C-141 aeromedical contributions continued throughout the decades with the Starlifter performing extensively during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, and in her twilight years for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. The Starlifter’s last combat mission - again performing in an aeromedical role - occurred on Sept. 30, 2005. 

As the C-141 capabilities expanded within the aeromedical arena, the aircraft remained a workhorse capable of delivering troops and supplies across the globe at 500 miles per hour. At the end of 1967, Operation EAGLE THRUST gave testimony to the aircraft’s means to produce and deliver. MAC provided non-stop transportation for 10,356 soldiers and 5,118 tons of equipment from the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ken., to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam. Efficiency improved further as engine-running offload techniques helped reduce ramp space saturation and time on-the-ground.
The Starlifter aided immeasurably in the delivery of war-fighting equipment and forces in the airlift role. During the Persian Gulf War, it flew more than 15,000 missions and carried more than 500,000 people and 500,000 tons of cargo during both deployment and re-deployment phases. 

Today, the C-17 has assumed the Starlifter’s versatile airlift role and carries on its mastery of air power and force projection. 

In 1968, the Air Force Reserve Associate program was created. The 445th Military Airlift Wing, then located at Norton AFB, Calif, became the first associate unit to receive C-141s. Since the C-141 inauguration, the associate program has expanded into other airframes including fighter, airlift, training, and space resources. The 445th Airlift Wing, now at Wright-Patterson, became the second Reserve unit-equipped wing with C-141s in October 1994 and was honored with the distinction of performing the aircraft’s last flight. 

The C-141 gave the Air Force just what it needed; a jet propelled, versatile and highly reliable cargo platform that could ferry equipment and people from continent to continent displaying its major characteristics of safety and speed. As of April 30, the Starlifter had accumulated more than 10.5 million flying hours and surpassed 1 million full landing stops. Also of note is the monumental humanitarian role that C-141 aircrews performed throughout the last four decades delivering relief supplies to countless world citizens during crisis such as famines and tsunami relief. 

Major Gen. Martin M. Mazick, 22nd Air Force commander at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga,, remembers well his early career flying days in the C-141 Associate program. “I was able to spend 19 years flying the C-141A and B, and this is like losing a great friend that took me all over the world. For a long time the gray and white Starlifter was a United States ambassador to the world. It defined speed, range and flexibility for our nation. It presented an opportunity for a sense of accomplishment on every mission whether you were delivering cargo, passengers, relief aid or what I considered most rewarding, aeromedical evacuation of patients. The C-141 served the Air Force and our nation well and will be missed by all who had the opportunity to fly the Starlifter.”