The Travis-based 60th Air Mobility Wing’s mission is to rapidly project American power around the world at a moment’s notice. Without the likes of the 6th Aerial Refueling Squadron’s KC-10A Extenders, it would be an impossible task.
KNOWN TO AIRCREWS as the ‘Gateway to the Pacific’, more passengers and cargo pass through Travis AFB’s cavernous military air terminal in each year than any other in the United States. Located in the San Francisco Bay area, three miles east of Fairfield, Travis is home to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the largest organization of its type in the air force. Its mission is simple — to rapidly project American power around the world as required, any time, anywhere. On top of that, it is responsible for global strategic airlift and aerial refueling.
The 6th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) operates 27 McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extenders in the air-to-air refueling tanker and airlift roles. Combat Aircraft spoke to Maj Bob Budde, a KC-10 pilot and evaluator assigned to the unit. ‘I completed my flight training in 2005 at Laughlin AFB, Texas, and began my career with the KC-10 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. After four years at McGuire fl…
