KC-10 Extender ready for another mission in Southwest Asia

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | A KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron takes off for a combat air mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during operations at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, April 5. The KC-10s deployed to Southwest Asia with the 908th EARS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The KC-10 is the Air Force's largest tanker and in 2009, aircraft assigned to the 908th EARS flew more than 4,700 combat missions offloading more than 422 million pounds of fuel to more than 31,400 aircraft.  

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04.08.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The KC-10s deployed to Southwest Asia with the 908th EARS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

A KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron takes off for a combat air mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during operations at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, April 5.

The KC-10s deployed to Southwest Asia with the 908th EARS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The KC-10 is the Air Force's largest tanker and in 2009, aircraft assigned to the 908th EARS flew more than 4,700 combat missions offloading more than 422 million pounds of fuel to more than 31,400 aircraft.

According to its Air Force fact sheet, 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.

Additionally, 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, the fact sheet states. 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 carry more than 356,000 pounds (160,200 kilograms) of fuel -- almost twice as much as the KC-135 Stratotanker.

A modified Boeing Company DC-10, the KC-10A, entered active Air Force service in 1981, the fact sheet states. Although it retains 88 percent systems commonality with the DC-10, it has additional systems and equipment necessary for its Air Force mission. These additions include military avionics; aerial refueling boom and aerial refueling hose and drogue; seated aerial refueling operator station; and aerial refueling receptacle and satellite communications.

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 also equipped with lighting for night operations.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2010
• Date Posted: 04.08.2010 06:12
• Story ID: 47833
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)