The Boeing KC-10 Extender from Travis AFB, departs from RAF Mildenhall. They have the most distinctive sounds and have a wonderful engine configuration. Enjoy them while you can as they are set for retirement with the KC-46 Pegasus replacing them.

The KC-10 Extender is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0's primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

The KC-10 can transport up to 75 people and nearly 170,000 pounds (76,560 kilograms) of cargo a distance of about 4,400 miles (7,040 kilometers) unrefueled.

In addition to the three main DC-10 wing fuel tanks, the KC-10 has three large fuel tanks under the cargo floor, one under the forward lower cargo compartment, one in the center wing area and one under the rear compartment. Combined, the capacity of the six tanks carries more than 356,000 pounds (160,200 kilograms) of fuel - almost twice as much as the KC-135 Stratotanker.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

On October 4th 2023 at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a special historic ceremony was made as the KC-10 aerial refueling aircraft, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS), was officially deactivated. The event marked the end of an era in military aviation and highlighted the changing landscape of air power in the 21st century.

The KC-10 Extender has been a stalwart workhorse in the United States Air Force's fleet for decades. Serving as a vital component of the U.S. military's global reach and power projection capabilities within the AFCENT Area of Responsibility (AOR) and abroad. The massive aircraft carried cargo and passengers in addition to its primary role as an aerial refueler, making it a truly multi-mission platform.

During the inactivation ceremony held on Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Saudi Arabia, Brig. Gen. Akshai Gandhi, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, highlighted the enduring legacy of the KC-10 and the Airmen who have fueled its success. Check out the full story here https://www.travis.af.mil/News/Displa....

By September 2024, the U.S. Air Force’s inventory of KC-10s will be decommissioned and gradually replaced by the new KC-46 airframe. Because of this impending transition, U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Rush, 908th EARS commander, has led the last combat operations squadron to deploy with the legendary aircraft.

For more info:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Shee...

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