The last two C-141 StarLifters assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, were retired in ceremonies 16 September, closing the aircraft's thirty-nine-year career with the active duty US Air Force. The C-141, the world's first jet transport, served as the backbone of strategic airlift for the Air Force since entering service.

An era came to an end on 6 May as the US Air Force retired the last Lockheed Martin C-141 StarLifter airlifter. The last of the breed was flown to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio, to close out the transportŐs unparalleled forty-three year career.