Nicknamed Gucci: The 44-year history of the KC-10 Extender is over, it was sent to the landfill

US Army pilots say goodbye to their KC-10 refueler , which first took to the sky in July 1980.

On the morning of September 26, the US Air Force held a farewell ceremony for the last McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender refueling aircraft. The plane with the flight number 79-1948, nicknamed Gucci, took off for the last time, accompanied by two F-15Cs of the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard. It reports Defense Post.

During the event at the Travis Air Force base in California, the role of the aircraft in the logistics of personnel and equipment for foreign missions was emphasized. In addition to tactical missions, the plane also participated in humanitarian and rescue operations.

Then the plane was sent to the aircraft dump — to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Repair Group in Arizona.

The military spoke highly of these aircraft, including retired Master Sergeant Robert Laysen, who emphasised that the KC-10 was excellent in service.

“It was a good aircraft, smooth, reliable, very performed his tasks well”, — he noted.

McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender

McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender was produced from 1979 to 1987, it was adopted 43 years ago, in March 1981 oh The last 60th aircraft was handed over to the US Army in November 1988.

These machines took part in a number of American operations. In particular, together with the LS-135, they ensured the implementation of the “Eldorado Canyon” operation for the F-111 and other aircraft, when the countries of continental Europe refused the USA to base and even fly in the airspace. The decision to decommission the aircraft was made in 2023.