KC-10 retirement is opportunity--for some

The USAF's plan to get rid of all of the KC-10s in the near future is a bad idea.

Depending who you are.

The aircraft has brought the USAF wonderful capability. The way KC-10s were used in Operation:ELDORADO CANYON--the 1986 punitive strike on Libya--was the true definition of "game-changer". And, KC-10s could be refueled by other tankers. The KC-10 helped make that operation possible.

The KC-10 has contributed greatly to U.S. air power campaigns since.

So why get rid of it?

The USAF has money problems with hair on them. I suspect also that there are other factors at play.

The KC-10 going away allows USAF to turn around and draw up a requirement for more of the new KC-46 tankers. Having a replacement for the KC-10 is OK as long as the aircraft are retired as new KC-46s replace them. This will not happen and the U.S. will have a tanker gap. U.S. air wars do not happen without enough tanker support.

A unified tanker fleet would be good. So, I have no problem with an all KC-46 fleet. But, they are not cheap. Current program unit cost is $250M each. Unit cost is $189M each.

There is another opportunity out their for retiring the KC-10. It is either sinister or OK depending on how you see things.

Bidding on surplus aircraft.

KC-10s have a lot of life left in them. Someone with insider knowledge could have already put the wheels in motion to grow an existing company or start a new company that does civilian owned and operated air-refueling for the U.S. military. This could help a lot of friends with post retirement or post-reduction-in-force (RIF) plans.

Civilian tanking on a larger scale could help for anything that doesn't require regional contact with an enemy. Tanking at home; tanker-drags across the ocean and additional cargo carry.

This could be much cheaper than the over-grown KC-10 wings and their "associate" Air Force Reserve cousins.

Cheaper in peacetime at least.

I would wager that one could put out bets on which USAF airframes will be retired in the next coming years.

All to save the F-35, the overage of flag-ranks and their comfort-castles.