An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | March 10, 2023

KC-10 Extender Fuels Way to Pacific

By Senior Airman Alexander Merchak 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

AVALON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Australia -- Aircrew assigned to the 6th and 9th Air Refueling Squadrons, 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, provided cargo, passenger and in-air refueling support to and from the 2023 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defense Exposition at Avalon International Airport, Victoria, Australia Feb. 21 – March 8, 2023.

The Team Travis KC-10 aircrew supported a cargo movement, transporting 11,000 pounds of general cargo to Kadena Air Base, Japan enhancing integrated tanker capabilities through multiple-tanker, coronet missions across the Indo-Pacific region.

From Kadena AB, the KC-10 aircrew gained passengers and cargo. Additionally, the tanker provided coronet support, a tactical air movement that typically involves multiple fighter aircraft, for three F-22 Raptor aircraft assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and two F-15C aircraft assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB.

“This trip really proved our ability to get our fighters to their destination, anywhere at any time,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Schafer, 9th Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 pilot and aircraft commander. “It proved the that the KC-10 can still effectively operate and accomplish the mission during our transition [to the KC-46A Pegasus], ensuring that we continue to have a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Providing support alongside the KC-10 were four KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft: three assigned to 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena AB, one assigned to the 174th Air Refueling Squadron at Sioux City Air National Guard, Iowa.

“This isn’t the first and won’t be the last time a mission like this is generated,” said Schafer. “As a tanker community, our goal is to get the receivers to their destination on time.”

The five-tanker aircraft traveled to the 2023 Avalon event, not only to provide operational refueling enroute, but to showcase the importance of Mobility Air Forces in support of our Pacific partners.

Avalon is Australia’s premiere aerospace exhibition airshow and tradeshow, offering opportunities for industry and defense representatives as well tourists in the Pacific area to witness the importance of partnerships, alliances, and airpower. The 2023 Avalon event hosted distinguished visitors from 40 different countries.

“There’s no other country with whom the U.S. trains more closely, operates more seamlessly and with whom we share more of our most sensitive technologies,” said U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, during the opening ceremony. “There’s no other military that we have fought, side-by-side, in every major conflict for more than 100 years.”

The aircrew highlighted the KC-10 and its capabilities to over 200,000 people during the event and won the 2023 Avalon “Best Military Tanker” award.

"This further emphasizes how critical our role is to the movement of multiple aircraft around the world," said Schafer. "Participation in airshows, like this one, give us the opportunity to highlight that our aerial refueling capabilities extend to all receiver-capable aircraft, which opens multiple doors for potential missions not only with our joint partners, but international allies as well.”

Upon departure from Avalon, the aircrew traveled in a unique formation with a KC-135 aircraft assigned to the 174th ARS and a KC-46 aircraft assigned to the 344th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

“These kinds of opportunities give aircrews the chance to demonstrate the capabilities of their aircraft as well as to network with other military from around the world,” said Schafer. “We presented ourselves and our mission well, and we look forward to more tanker training opportunities in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.”

During this mission, the KC-10 aircrew offloaded more than 135,000 pounds of fuel, transported more than 24,000 pounds of cargo and 25 passengers, showcasing rapid global mobility and reinforcing our relationship with our INDOPACOM partners and allies.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
341,859
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Yokota C-130 Teams Help Find Mariners Lost at Sea
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) transfers two mariners rescued from the water about halfway between Guam and Rota midday on Feb. 9, 2023, to a Station Apra Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium for further transport to shore. The crew responded to a mayday call from the master of the 42-foot vessel Senor Dung on Feb. 8 along with other federal and local responders.
March 16, 2023 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- At 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, watchstanders at the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam Joint Rescue Sub-Center received a mayday call reporting a vessel taking on water between Rota and Guam...

Indonesia Investment Authority and U.S. International DFC Execute Memorandum of Understanding to Catalyze Investments in Indonesia
MoU, DFC and INA will collaborate to identify investment opportunities throughout Indonesia
March 16, 2023 - JAKARTA, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia -- Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have taken a significant step towards promoting economic development in...

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch
March 15, 2023 - We are aware of the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners. The United States condemns these actions and calls on...

Five Indo-Pacific Nations begin Exercise Sea Dragon
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon from the
March 15, 2023 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 “Red Lancers” and VP-45 “Pelicans” join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), India Navy (INN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense...

DOD Official Says Sub Agreement Will Help Guarantee Free, Open Indo-Pacific
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, Mara Karlin conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2023.
March 15, 2023 - WASHINGTON -- U.S. defense officials believe the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) enhanced security partnership will go a long way to guaranteeing stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.Spotlight:...