The KC-10A Extender is a US Air Force advanced tanker and cargo aircraft whose primary mission is aerial refueling. Within the same mission, the KC-10 can refuel US and coalition forces aircraft using either a hose and drogue centerline refueling system or an advanced aerial refueling boom. KC-10s can also be refueled from another KC-10A or a KC-135.
The aircraft is configured to simultaneously carry military cargo and personnel. Since 1981, the KC-10 has been an important part of air fueling in times of war and peace, improving global mobility for US armed forces.
The KC-10A on display, serial number 84-0191, was instrumental in 1986 during Operation El Dorado Canyon, serving as the “mother ship” for USAF F-111s whose target was the command center for a Libyan terrorist network in Tripoli. For the first time since WWII, US aircraft took off from Royal Air Force bases in the United Kingdom for a bombing mission. The KC-10’s large fuel capacity allowed the strike force aircraft to refuel eight times during the mission. The raid proved the US’s capabilities for long-range precision strikes.
This aircraft arrived at the museum on April 15, 2024 from its last duty station at Travis AFB, California.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ty Greenlees)
Date Taken: | 08.21.2024 |
Date Posted: | 08.22.2024 14:34 |
Photo ID: | 8605003 |
VIRIN: | 240821-F-AU145-1087 |
Resolution: | 6048x4024 |
Size: | 2.8 MB |
Location: | WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO, US |
Web Views: | 26 |
Downloads: | 2 |
This work, KC-10 Extender in Air Force Museum Airpark [Image 13 of 13], by Tyler Greenlees, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.