The US Air Force is preparing to bid farewell to one of its longest-serving and most iconic aircraft, the McDonnell-Douglas KC-10 Extender tanker.
After more than four decades of service, the final KC-10s are set to be decommissioned, marking the end of an era. Travis Air Force Base (AFB) in California will celebrate the KC-10’s legacy in a two-day event from September 25 to 26, 2024, commemorating the final chapter of an aircraft pivotal in the US military’s global reach and strategic operations.
Individuals with base access will be offered final tours of the KC-10 aircraft at Travis AFB on September 25, 2024, from 09:00-11:00. Those attending will have the opportunity to walk through the aircraft for the last time on the flight line. A farewell ceremony will take place the following day, September 26, 2024, at 09:00. The event will culminate with the final flight of the KC-10.
Making way for the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
The decommissioning of the KC-10 Extender by the 60th Air Mobility Wing (AMW), the last host wing for the aircraft, also signals a transformation in the US Air Force’s tanker fleet as it transitions to its successor, the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus.
“As a KC-10 flyer myself, it has been amazing to watch the global impact this aircraft has had,” said Colonel Jay Johnson, 60th AMW commander. “As we take the time to appreciate the legacy and history of the KC-10, we also have an opportunity to look forward to the future of tanker operations. I am excited to watch the same sense of pride and community build as we transition to the next generation of tanker operations.”
The KC-10, based on the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-30F freighter, entered service on March 1, 1981. The KC-10 Extender was designed to provide air-to-air refueling capabilities, extending the range of fighter jets, bombers, and transport aircraft.
During the Cold War and over the following decades, the KC-10 became a workhorse of the US military, refueling aircraft during operations such as Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the fight against ISIS.
The KC-10 could carry over 160 tons (350,000 pounds) of fuel, 70 tons (150,000 pounds) more than the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus. It could also transport cargo and personnel, making it an invaluable asset for combat, logistical, and humanitarian missions.
The retirement of the KC-10 fleet started on July 13, 2020, when the first aircraft was flown to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), colloquially known as The Boneyard.