The USAF chose the iconic Douglas DC-9 airliner for use as an aeromedical evacuation and VIP transport aircraft, designated the C-9A and VC-9C, respectively. Additionally, the US Navy/USMC utilized the DC-9 as a passenger/cargo aircraft, designated the C-9B. 21 C-9As and 3 VC-9Cs were built for the USAF, while 17 C-9Bs were built for the USN/USMC, as well as 14 ex-civil airliners that were leased and or purchased by the Navy. Many of the purchased DC-9s were converted to C-9B standards with the addition of a large cargo loading door on the forward left-hand side of the fuselage. A 32nd C-9B was purchased through the Navy but operated by the US government and later by Ratheon as an NC-9D. Two other C-9Bs were purchased through the Navy for Kuwait, and one Navy C-9B was transferred to NASA as the "Vomit Comet" negative G test vehicle.
Almost all color: the book has 178 color photos, 26 b&w photos, 27 color patches, 35 illustrations.