FighterControl

KC-10A 86-0031 arrived at Mildenhall on Friday 09.08.24 as BORA11 and departed today 12.08.24 to take F-16 reworks back to the US from Charleroi. It may have been the Last Hurrah for the mighty KC-10 in Suffolk so I thought it prudent to capture it.
IMG_9627 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr
IMG_9684 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr
IMG_9694 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr
IMG_9702 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr

Great shots of a lovely aircraft.

Ian

When they finally go it must be leaving a fair capability gap in the USAF.

Excellent shots, Andrew

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Thanks for sharing these with us, great shots.

Thunder wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 12, 2024 8:08 pm

When they finally go it must be leaving a fair capability gap in the USAF.

I think the gap has already been filled by the KC-46 as there are only around 3 KC-10s left in service.

How many KC-46’s have been delivered. Weren’t they having issues with them and delivery schedule was greatly reduced. It’s a less capable a/c as well I believe??

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 13, 2024 10:55 am

How many KC-46’s have been delivered. Weren’t they having issues with them and delivery schedule was greatly reduced. It’s a less capable a/c as well I believe??

They are having ongoing issues with the aircarft which is less capable than the KC-10.

Boeing lost the tender to Airbus which was then over-turned by the whitehouse in nothing more than a political move to "save US jobs". It's on a par with UK defence purchase cock-ups.

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 13, 2024 10:55 am

How many KC-46’s have been delivered. Weren’t they having issues with them and delivery schedule was greatly reduced. It’s a less capable a/c as well I believe??

The 94th KC-46 built was delivered to Travis recently, I know a few of the early ones are still with Boeing though.. but still more KC-46s now delivered than total KC-10 production.

I seem to remember being told by a KC-10 crew member many years ago, that three KC-10’s could fully support a whole unit(12 jets) deployment from the CONUS to the Middle East on their own, as in refuelling the jets, carrying the ground crews/aircrews and the ground support equipment. Pretty impressive!!

I remember well my first experience of KC-10 Extenders was 1988 around Easter at RAF Mildenhall 91713 and 40188 taxied out and departed, probably my best (non - Airshow) sighting of Extenders I can remember.

I shall miss another tri Jet.

I “Extend”, a huge thank you for the services this aircraft has made over the years .

Great images, thanks for posting, we were on our way on Monday from the midlands but sadly missed it, held up by an accident on the A14

Thank you for the post excellent shots
44 years nearly since I saw the first two KC-10s 79-0434 at Long beach and then 79-0433 at Edwards Show a couple of days later
I hope another makes it over just to complete the 44years it would be a fitting end.

Unknown74 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2024 1:57 pm

I remember well my first experience of KC-10 Extenders was 1988 around Easter at RAF Mildenhall 91713 and 40188 taxied out and departed, probably my best (non - Airshow) sighting of Extenders I can remember.

For quite a few members I would guess April 1986 would be a major KC-10 moment, with around 20 KC-10 (how many was it?) between Mildenhall and Fairford for operation Eldorado Canyon. I had hardly seen any KC-10s until those few days (April 14/15th).

"It may have been the Last Hurrah for the mighty KC-10 in Suffolk so I thought it prudent to capture it"

And superbly captured dear fellow making a truly fitting tribute to a much-loved and soon to be much-missed airframe.
I echo Alf's comments as I too fondly remember operation Eldorado Canyon, also those at Boscombe Down August & September 1986 supporting ‘Coronet Papago’ and ‘Coronet Comanche’ EF-111A & F-111D deployments

Thanks for sharing your superb captures and triggering fond memories