The USAF should buy half-life DC10-30, MD-11, 757 and 767 at a fraction of new price, and convert them at various *competitive* MRO, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities. There's no point buying a brand new airframe, only to use it 3-400 hours a year. That's why the KC-135 have lasted 50 years; the highest time ones don't have 50K hours on them.
The KC-10A Extender has the best reliability record in the USAF history. That's because it was adapted from a proven commercial airliner with a minimum of govt procurement specifications.
At least one DC10-30 was converted to tanker use by private capital, so it isn't rocket science. That one, owned by Omega, is contracted out to the USN and foreign militaries for escort of short range airplanes.
GB