In June 1992 the Royal Netherlands Air Force bought two DC-10 wide body airliners from Martinair Airlines. Both DC-10 were converted to multi-role tanker/transports and entered service in 1995. The modifications included the installation of a boom system and external lights, electrical and hydraulic systems and a "RARO" (Remote Air Refueling Operating) station to operate the boom .

The KDC-10's are able to transport large quantities of cargo and/or personnel over large distances. The planes can be converted into two configurations; cargo only (max. 65 tons) or cargo/passenger role that gives room to 165 persons. The later is the standard configuration. Next to that both KDC-10 are capable of air-to-air refueling, this fuel is used from the own tanks, as in contrary to the USAF KC-10 Extender, no extra tanks are installed.

During air-to-air refueling 1750 liters a minute can be transferred to the receiving plane. The use of the tankers increased the length of the F-16 missions, enlarging the effectiveness. Because of this the KDC-10 also reduces the noise at the airbases the F-16's are stationed as there are less take-offs and landings. Because of this the effective power of the RNLAF F-16 fleet is increased substantially.

Since the introduction into service the KDC-10s are regularly used for humanitarian aid flights. Since the aircraft are in service such flights were made to Central- and South-America, Africa and the Middle East.

Also the aircraft where used to refuel aircraft of the RNLAF and NATO partners around the Balkans and for humanitarian flights in Europe. A good example of the flexibility of the KDC-10 was that during a flight during the Kosovo crisis, NATO aircraft where air-to-air refueled above South-East Europe whereafter the plane landed for refueling on the airport of Skopje, Macedonia. There refugees from Kosovo where boarded and brought back to the Netherlands.

Recently a KDC-10 was stationed at Al Udeid airport in Qatar in support of operation "Enduring Freedom”. Since the stationing of Dutch forces in Afghanistan a weekly "mail" flight is made between Eindhoven and Kabul.

To bring some relieve to the two KDC-10's a third DC-10 was bought from North West Airlines and is currently being converted with a new cockpit and avionics. This will be a cargo/passengers plane only; making it possible for the KDC-10's to focus more on the air-to-air refueling role. Delivery is planned for late 2008 where it will join 334 Squadron.