The Operational History of C-141 65-9405

Lockheed C-141 65-9405 was accepted by the Air Force on September 15, 1966, with 7.8 flying hours on the airframe.(1) The first duty assignment was with the 443rd Military Training Wing at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Operational Assignment History (2)

• Shown assigned to 443rd MTW, Tinker AFB – March 6, 1967, to October 20, 1967. PCS to Robins AFB
• 58th MAS/436th MAW, Robins AFB – October 20, 1967, to August 29, 1969. PCS to Dover AFB
• 436th MAW, Dover AFB – August 29, 1969, to July 16, 1973. PCS to Charleston AFB
• 437th MAW, Charleston AFB – July 16, 1973, to May 2, 1978. PCS to Norton AFB
• 63rd MAW, Norton AFB – May 2, 1978, to August 8, 1980. TDY to Altus AFB
• 443rd MTW, Altus AFB – August 8, 1980, to September 11, 1980. PCS to Travis AFB
• 60th MAW, Travis AFB – September 11, 1980, to September 28, 1981. TDY to Lockheed
• Lockheed & WRALC – September 28, 1981, to February 11, 1982. ‘B’ model conversion
• 60th MAW, Travis AFB – February 11, 1982, to May 9, 1983. TDY to WRALC for PDM
• WRALC, Robins AFB – May 9, 1983, to October 17, 1983. TDY to Ardmore, Okla., for repaint
• Ardmore, Okla. Municipal Airport – October 17, 1983, to January 9, 1984. PCS to Altus AFB
• 443rd MTW, Altus AFB – January 9, 1984, to October 1, 1987. PCS to McGuire AFB
• 305th AMW, McGuire AFB – October 1, 1987, to September 13, 1997.

On May 30, 1972, this aircraft flew the third and final airlift mission in support of President Nixon’s historic trip to Russia and Austria. After stopping at Rhein Main AB, Germany, to refuel, the crew proceeded to Moscow and then to Barispol Airport in Kiev. After a brief stop, the aircraft proceeded back to Rhein Main AB, arriving there on June 1, 1972. While the crew was in a rest period, orders were received for the trip to divert to Tel Aviv for a mercy mission. The C-141 left Rhein Main AB for Israel on June 4, 1972, with empty caskets to carry home the 17 Puerto Ricans killed in the Tel Aviv airport massacre on May 30, 1972. Three Japanese nationals, recruited by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, opened fire with automatic weapons at LOD International Airport, Tel Aviv, killing 26 people and injuring 80 others. Among the 26 killed, 17 were Christian pilgrims from Puerto Rico.(3) After the remains were loaded, the Starlifter left LOD International Airport and flew to Torrejon AB, Spain, for fuel and crew rest. The following day, the aircraft flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to complete the mission. Following a brief stop at Andrews AFB to off-load cargo, the trip terminated at Dover AFB, Delaware.(4)

On October 6, 1973, the military forces of Egypt and Syria attacked the State of Israel on two fronts setting off what would become known as the Yom Kippur War. Suffering initial heavy losses, Prime Minister Golda Meir appealed to the United States for assistance; and President Nixon ordered the resupply of Israel with tanks, ammunition, aircraft and armored vehicles. This resupply mission became known as Operation NICKEL GRASS and was conducted by the Military Airlift Command from October 13, 1973, to November 13, 1973. C-141A 65-9405 flew three of the 394 C-141 sorties of this airlift operation into LOD International Airport in Tel Aviv: sortie #27 on 10/16/73 . . .