DEEP FREEZE

A C-141B Starlifter aircraft leaves four plumes of exhaust behind it as it prepares for an airdrop during Operation Deep Freeze. Can airlift combat forces, equipment and supplies, and deliver them on the ground or by airdrop, using paratroop doors on each side and a rear loading ramp. It can be used for low-altitude delivery of paratroops and equipment, and high-altitude delivery of paratroops. It can also airdrop equipment and supplies using the container delivery system. It is the first aircraft designed to be compatible with the 463L Material Handling System, which permits off-loading 68,000 pounds (30,600 kilograms) of cargo, refueling and reloading a full load, all in less than an hour. The C-141 has an all-weather landing system, pressurized cabin and crew station. Its cargo compartment can easily be modified to perform around 30 different missions. About 200 troops or 155 fully equipped paratroops can sit in canvas side-facing seats, or 166 troops in rear-facing airline seats. Rollers in the aircraft floor allow quick and easy cargo pallet loading. A palletized lavatory and galley can be installed quickly to accommodate passengers, and when palletized cargo is not being carried, the rollers can be turned over to leave a smooth, flat surface for loading vehicles. In its aeromedical evacuation role, the Starlifter can carry about 103 litter patients, 113 ambulatory patients or a combination of the two. It provides rapid transfer of the sick and wounded from remote areas overseas to hospitals in the United States.

C-141 'Hanoi Taxi' now on display at museum

Families swarm to greet former prisoners of war moments after they landed in the C-141 "Hanoi Taxi" May 5 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The "Hanoi Taxi" was the first aircraft to arrive in Hanoi in February 1973 to pick up POWs returning to the United States. It is now on public display at the museum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

'Hanoi Taxi' arrives at National Museum of the Air Force

Jim Lamar (left) talks to Tech. Sgt. Rick Sforza on Saturday, May 6, 2006, about an aerial photograph of the "Hanoi Hilton" prisoner of war camp where he was held captive in Vietnam. The two men were flying on the final mission of the C-141 "Hanoi Taxi" over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Sforza is a Reserve photographer with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

'Hanoi Taxi' arrives at National Museum of the Air Force

Airman 1st Class Humberto Alcocer leads the honor guard during a ceremony recognizing the last mission of the C-141 "Hanoi Taxi" on Friday, May 5, 2006, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Airman Alcocer is a member of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base honor guard, and is with the 88th Medical Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

Former POWs relive freedom flights

A maintenance tug pushes the C-141 Starlifter known as the "Hanoi Taxi" out of a maintenance hangar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. The aircraft is set for retirement and dedication at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, on May 6. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Former POWs relive freedom flights

This C-141 Starlifter aircraft, known as the "Hanoi Taxi," flies over its soon-to-be new home at the National Museum of the United States Air Force adjacent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005. This particular aircraft gained fame when it was used to return American prisoners of war back home at the end of the Vietnam War. The aircraft is set for retirement and dedication at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, on May 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Rossino)