“The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is an air-to-air tanker aircraft in service with the United States Air Force derived from the civilian DC-10-30 airliner. The KC-10 was the second consecutive McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be selected by the US Air Force following the C-9 Nightingale. The similar KDC-10 is in service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.”

Photo: A U.S. Navy F/A-18 “Hornet” takes on fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 “Extender” November 7, 2001 while flying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo Michael Gaddis/U.S. Navy/Getty Images)

A right side view of a KC-10 Extender aircraft refueling an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft in-flight during testing. The Extender, silhouetted against the sunset horizon, is from the 78th Air Refueling Squadron, and the Blackbird, the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. (Photo by USAF) 1998

An air-to-air front view of a B-1B aircraft approaching the refueling boom of a KC-10A Extender aircraft during Exercise Distant Mariner. (Photo by USAF). 1998

An air-to-air left side view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft approaching a KC-10 Extender aircraft for refueling. (Photo by USAF). 1998

A B-2 Refuels From A Kc-10 After Completing A Mission In Support Of Nato Operation Allied Force March 31, 1999. (Photo By Usaf/Getty Images)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 “Hornet” takes on fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 “Extender” November 7, 2001 while flying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo Michael Gaddis/U.S. Navy/Getty Images)

Elevated right side air-to-air view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft. The aircraft is assigned to 15th Air Force, headquartered at March AFB, Calif. (Photo by USAF)

A B-52H Stratofortress prepares to be refueled by a KC-10 Extender during a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, March 23, 2002. (Photo by Greg M. Kobashigawa/USAF/Getty Images)

A Kc-10 Boom Operator From The 28Th Air Expeditionary Wing Refuels A B1-B Bomber Prior To A Bombing Sortie Into Afghanistan For Operation Enduring Freedom October 17, 2001 Over The Indian Ocean. (Photo By Usaf/Getty Images)

Three F/A-18 “Hornets” From Strike Fighter Squadron Nine Four And An E/A-6B “Prowler” From Electronic Counter Measures Squadron One Three Five, Conduct Refueling Operations With An U.S. Air Force Kc-10 “Tanker” In The Skies Over The Persian Gulf March 9, 1999. Aircraft Are Conducting Missions In Support Of The United Nations No-Fly Zone Over Southern Iraq, Operation Southern Watch. Both Squadrons Are Operating From The Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson Currently On A Regularly Scheduled Deployment In The Region. (U.S. Navy (Photo By U.S. Navy/Getty Images)