<item><hi format=bold>Configuration options:</hi> the cargo compartment in the C-141B fuselage has an internal volume of 6,368 cu ft (180.3 m<su>3</su>) and floor provision for 13 standard cargo pallets; the C-141B can be configured for cargo, paratroopers, combat troops, hospital litter patients, or combinations of all of these, and can be employed for air drops of troops or equipment
<item><hi format=bold>Strategic airlift (personnel):</hi> to the extent possible, the USAF employs the C-5A/B for equipment and the C-141B for personnel; 166 passengers can be transported in palletized airline-style seats; 205 passengers or 168 fully-equipped paratroopers can be carried using canvas, side-facing seats
<item><hi format=bold>Strategic airlift (equipment):</hi> with a typical payload of 70,847 lb (32,135 kg) and maximum payload of 90,880 lb (41,220 kg), on a strategic airlift mission the C-141B would employ air refueling but could have a range up to 6,390 miles (10,280 km) unrefueled with a two-hour fuel reserve; in addition to cargoes ranging from medical supplies to fuel, the C-141B can carry such heavy equipment items as a sinsealed VW tactical vehicles or an AH-1 Cobra helicopter (although usual practice is to transport such items on the C-5A/B); one C-141B squadron (6th AS/438th AW, McGuire AFB, NJ) transports all nuclear weapons for the USAF
<item><hi format=bold>Airborne operations:</hi> the C-141B carries 168 paratroopers to a radius of up to 3,660 miles (3,890 km) or further with air refueling; a combat air drop is made with an approach to the DZ (drop zone) at medium altitude of 2,000 ft (609 m); some C-141B crews and aircraft are dedicated to special operations airdrop insertions with run-in to DZ (drop zone) at 300 ft (91 m) altitude and actual drop at 500 ft (152 m)
<item><hi format=bold>Medical evacuation:</hi> on a medevac/ambulance mission, the C-141B would have a range up to 6,500 miles (10,460 km) unrefueled with a two-hour fuel reserve; carry 103 litter patients, 113 ambulatory patients, or a combination of the two
