The C-141 Starlifter, also known as “Hanoi Taxi”, was manufactured by Lockhead Corporation. This military strategic airlift aircraft was the world's first turbofan-powered transport and it served as a major component of the U.S. strategic airlift force since it entered operational service in 1965. The aircraft recorded more than 10.6 million operational hours in over four decades of service.

In 2005, Hanoi Taxi was one of the aircraft marshaled by the Air Force to provide evacuation for those seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina. This aircraft and others evacuated thousands of people, including the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of hundreds of ill & injured. At the end of its career as at the beginning, this aircraft brought Americans out of a hostile environment and back to safety.

On May 6, 2006 at 9:30 AM, the Hanoi Taxi touched down for the last time and was received in a formal retirement ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Riverside, Ohio near Dayton. Hanoi Taxi is now part of the permanent static display collection of the Museum.