The C-123 on display entered service in February 1956, serving at various units all over the world, and most notably it arrived in Vietnam in August 1966. This combat veteran continued to serve until April 1982 when it was retired. It was flown to Robins AFB in 1988.
Fairchild C-123K
Provider
The “Provider” was a short-range assault transport used to airlift troops and cargo onto short runways and unprepared airstrips. Designed by the Chase Aircraft Company, the C-123 evolved from earlier designs for large assault gliders. The production version was designated the C-123B. The first of more than 300 Fairchild-built C-123Bs entered service in July 1955. Between 1966 and 1969, 184 C-123Bs were converted to C-123Ks by adding two J85 jet engines for improved performance.