Speaking of DC-9s, my first flight was in 1966 on a Trans Texas -10 (I believe) from Corpus to somewhere, then on an Eastern Electra to KDCA to get married. My bride to be was from Fairfax, Va. I was in advanced jet flight training in Kingsville at the time.
In the 70's the Navy wound up getting 26 C-9Bs over a period of time, some new special made, some converted to a sort of DC9-33F standard with higher weights and fuel capacity. They were flown by Reserve VR squadrons and were terrific.
Most people do not think of the logistics effort needed to take an air wing to Fallon, Nevada, Eglin AFB etc for exercises prior to a Carrier deployment. All the troops, tools, GSE needed to set up such a detachment for about a two week period.
Thinking of recent events - hurricane evacuations of Naval Air Stations, many of which lie in the typical path: Oceana, Norfolk, Jax, the entire Training Command in Florida and Texas. Pilots flew the planes out to Fallon, China Lake, Edwards -wherever, to get them out of the area. The C-9Bs took the troops and junior pilots/students out too, so they could continue some training and readiness until things calmed down.