The U.S. Air Force’s last active KC-10 Extender wing, the 60th Air Mobility Wing, bid farewell to a special aircraft on Jan. 11th: tail number 79-1946. This Extender, nicknamed the “flagship” by its crew, completed its final flight from Travis Air Force Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where it will be stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group facility, also known as “The Boneyard.”
This particular KC-10 wasn’t just any aircraft; it had a long and storied career spanning decades and multiple conflicts, including Operations Urgent Fury, Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. Delivered in 1982, it wore unique nose art depicting the 9th Air Refueling Squadron’s patch during its early years with Strategic Air Command.
The final flight was a bittersweet moment for the crew, many of whom had personal connections to the aircraft. Captain Clark Albers, the mission commander, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to fly such a significant aircraft throughout his career. He acknowledged the sobering reality that these KC-10s, after over 40 years of service, are unlikely to take to the skies again.
The retirement of 79-1946 marks the continued downsizing of the KC-10 fleet. The 60th AMW will send its remaining Extenders to “The Boneyard” throughout the year, transitioning to the KC-46A Pegasus for future air refueling operations.
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