Former Vietnam POWs to take flight on last C-141 "Hanoi Taxi"

  • Published
  • By Maj. Ted Theopolos
  • 445th Airlift Wing
April 17, 2006 --  WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB Ohio -- Over one-hundred former Vietnam Prisoners of War are flying on the last scheduled flight aboard the only remaining active C-141 Starlifter aircraft, the "Hanoi Taxi."

On May 5, former Vietnam POWs will climb aboard the last C-141 for a flight over Dayton, Ohio. The aircraft is assigned to the Air Force Reserves 445th Airlift Wing, the last C-141 wing.

For some POWs, this was the aircraft that flew them to freedom during “Operation Homecoming.” C-141 Starlifters played a major role during the repatriation of America's held as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. The first POWs to be released were on February 12, 1973 at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, North Vietnam. The world’s attention was riveted on this first flight. The war was over and the long awaited start of “Operation Homecoming,” was about to begin.

The first United States C-141 Starlifter aircraft with tail number 66-0177, landed and 40 POWs climbed aboard for their "Freedom Flight" to Clark Air Base, The Philippines. For some POWs this was their first taste of freedom in over six years.

Inside this aircraft are photos from that historic day and photos from the Vietnam War. On the oxygen panel are 110 POW signatures with their shot down date and the date they were release, some POWs refer to it as their second birthday.

The Hanoi Taxi has had enormous impact on significant events of the past, and will be honored by going to the National Museum of the United States Air Force on May 6, the day following the POW flight. Scheduled arrival of the last operational C-141 at the museum is 9:30 a.m. The aircraft will perform a fly over before it touches down and will no longer spread its wings over the world’s skies.