Farewell flight of McDonnel Douglas KDC-10

On 7 October 2021, the last McDonnel Douglas KDC- 10 tanker and transport aircraft ( with registration T- 235) of the Royal Netherlands Air Force flew a farewell round past Dutch airports.

The aircraft departed from Eindhoven Air Base (ICAO: EHEH) and flew at a low altitude over the military air bases of Leeuwarden, Den Helder, Woensdrecht and Gilze-Rijen. Due to the low clouds, the KDC-10 subsequently flew on to Volkel Air Base. The airports at Texel, Amsterdam and Rotterdam were also visited along with the headquarters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force in Breda. After landing, the aircraft received a water shower from the fire brigade.

On 25 October 2021, this aircraft left the Netherlands and flew to its new owner in the United States, who also took delivery of the first aircraft at the end of 2019, with registration T-264. The new owner, OMEGA, will use the aircraft to refuel US Air Force aircraft on a commercial basis.

Both KDC-10s were acquired from airline Martinair in 1992 and were converted into tanker and transport aircraft, before entering service in mid- 1995. With the arrival of the KDC- 10, the Royal Netherlands Air Force got the ability to transport large amounts of cargo and personnel quickly and over long distances. The KDC-10 also served as a flying gas station by providing midair refueling facilities to the fighter jets.

The tasks of the KDC-10 will be taken over by the new Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft.