Retired KC-10A Starts New Life After Boneyard

Former military tanker reemerges after Air Force shuttered that fleet in 2024.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The last KC-10 Extender and two F-15E Strike Eagles fly in formation ahead of its retirement from Travis Air Force Base in California in September 2024. [Credit: U.S. Air Force/Kenneth Abbate]

Key Takeaways:

A retired U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender has been acquired by Omega Aerial Refueling Services, marking its return to service as a commercial tanker for contracted aerial refueling.
Omega is expanding its fleet of commercial tankers with the KC-10s to provide essential aerial refueling support to various U.S. military branches and allies, having achieved recent milestones in boom-equipped refueling.
The U.S. Air Force is also seeking operators to restore and transfer additional KC-10s as excess defense articles to a North African partner nation, indicating continued global demand for these highly capable aircraft.

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A KC-10 Extender retired two years ago by the U.S. Air Force has emerged from the aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (KDMA) in Arizona to begin a new life as a commercial tanker for contracted aerial refueling services.

Eagle-eyed planespotters first noticed the KC-10A was back in action this month. According to FlightRadar24, the model flew from its temporary retirement home at Davis-Monthan to San Antonio International Airport (KSAT) last Tuesday.