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In the O-D 2006 issue of The Trading Post, ASMIC member Bob Mebane wrote about the USAF's C-141 aircraft. The end of an historic era ended 06 May 06 when the USAF retired its last C-141 Starlifter transport aircraft. For 41 years this workhorse, the world's first jet-powered transport, proved to be a versatile aircraft. It was an invaluable asset during every major military operation from Viet Nam to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, flying to every corner of the globe, including resupply misisons to Antartctica. Built by Lockheed, the aircraft was used not only by active USAF units but by reserve units as well. Two hundred eighty five aircraft were built between 1963-68. From 1979-82, Lockheed performed extensive modifications on 270 aircraft. Designed for flying 30,000 hours, the Starlifters averaged 36,000 hours and the highest total achieved was 47,000 hours. During its 41 years of service, only 13 aircraft were lost to crashed and eight more damaged beyond repair, making it one of the USAF's safest aircraft. The most famous mission of the C-141 came in 1973 for the repatriation of US PoWs from North Viet Nam. Today, several of the aircraft are on display at different locales, including the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB; Travis AFB, McGuire, Charleston, McCord, March, Robins, Altus, Edwards and Scott AFBs. The patches displayed were all originally published in B & W in the issue.
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