hanoi taxi is a lockheed c-141 starlifter strategic airlift aircraft (serial number 66-0177) that was in service with the united states air force and became famous for bringing back the first returned prisoners of war in operation homecoming. this aircraft, which was delivered to the air force in 1967, was the last c-141 to be withdrawn from service after a career of almost 40 years, as the last of the fleet was retired in 2006 as sufficient c-17 globemaster iii aircraft became available in the regular air force to allow c-141s still serving with air force reserve units to be replaced by the c-5 galaxy aircraft being seconded from the regular air force. the "hanoi taxi" is currently housed at the national museum of the united states air force, near dayton, ohio.