The aerial refuelling procedure is a matter that takes aircraft endurance and range beyond limits. For this reason, the refuelling aircraft, which are serving as “flying gas stations”, are important power multipliers for the air forces.

Retirement time came for the KC-10 Extender refuelling tankers, who have been in the US Air Force inventory for 39 years. The first platform, which will be replaced by the KC-46A Pegasus, which has come to the fore with frequent problems, was decommissioned with a ceremony held on 13th of July. The platform, which has an 86-0036 serial number performed its last active flight and arrived at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, stationed in Arizona. The base, also known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, is known as the “aircraft cemetery” among the public. The U.S. will also phase out two KC-10 Extenders with serial numbers 87-0120 and 83-0077 next September.

Built on a very large area in the desert in Arizona, platforms are stored for a long time to be re-activated. Aircraft stationed here can be re-commissioned by undergoing activation process when necessary. The remaining aircraft are used as spare parts. In the past months, the USA reactivated a B-52 Stratofortress stored at Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Developed on the DC-10 commercial aircraft, one of the most popular platforms of the “Trijet” era, the KC-10 Extender is powered by three General Electric F103 turbofan engines. The platform with a maximum take-off weight of 268,980 kg, has 165,500 kilograms fuel capacity. The KC-10 can reach 18,500 km maximum range.