As the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 “Extender”, alternatively known as “Big Sexy”, is slowly reaching retirement, the United States Air Force (USAF) took a farewell trip around the globe stopping by at several airports the KC-10 typically operated from.
About The KC-10
In the dynamic world of military aviation, few aircraft have played a role as vital as the KC-10 Extender. This aerial refuelling tanker operated by the USAF has become synonymous with strategic air mobility and global power projection. Based on the iconic McDonnell Douglas DC-10, the USAF chose a very durable platform. After its maiden flight in 1981, the KC-10 formed the backbone of USAF aerial refuelling operations in the past years together with the KC-135 Stratotanker.
60 KC-10s were built in the time between 1979 and 1990. With the exception of one KC-10 which burned down at Barksdale Air Force Base, there have been no major incidents with this plane in over 43 years of operations.
The core capability of the KC-10 was refuelling jets and reconnaissance planes on their missions. In the past years, the KC-10 was often supporting relocation flights for fighter jets in the purpose of training and ensuring global reach of the USAF. An example from early 2023 was when the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron came back from a deployment at Kadena. In this case, three KC-10s were utilised to ensure the smooth transfer back to their home base.
When the KC-10s are retired, they will be replaced by the newer KC-46 Pegasus. The KC-46 Pegasus is a heavily modified and modernised version of the Boeing 767-200. One of the special features of the KC-46 is the 3D goggle control of the air-to-air refuelling system.
Goodbye KC-10
Now that the KC-10 is due for retirement, the USAF has taken it on a world tour, stopping off in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Greece and Germany.
The airframe with the registration 84-0191 arrived at Christchurch on the 10th January. Over the course of the next two and a half weeks, the aircraft flew Christchurch-Sydney-Al Udeid-Souda Bay-Ramstein-Joint Base McGuire. The departure from Ramstein on the 28th January marked the last planned visit of a KC-10 outside the USA. Until the complete retirement in September 2024, the KC-10 will only fly missions within the United States.
The aviation community will certainly miss the iconic look of the tri-holer as it becomes increasingly rare. Goodbye old lady!
