>>>One thing that could be done would be to use something like the A-10 Warthog as Fighters to accompany the tanker until it gains enough altitude.
A manpad may or may not be able to do much damage to an A-10. I believe A-10’s have been known to loose an engine and still fly. Plus the fact that the cockpit is kind of armored like an army tank.<<<
Idea is not new for this part of the world. In 1980s Soviets used helicopter gunships to shield troop transports from heat-seeking missiles over Kabul airport and Bagram airbase.
Helicopters seem to be vulnerable to ground fire -- even some of the most modern ones.
I think from specs I saw the Warthog could accompany the tankers for a while -- they cannot reach the full speed of the KC-10 or KC-135.
But an A-10 Warthog would slow down the tankers at some point...