What if I told you there is a place in the US where you could see thousands of aircraft in one place? We’re not talking about the world’s largest air show or the biggest aircraft museum. We’re talking about the largest military boneyard in the world, along with a host of other locations in the Tucson area.
The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, or AMARG, is located at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona. Military aircraft have been arriving there for storage and dismantling since the end of World War II.
The mission of storing and dismantling military aircraft started in 1946. At the end of World War II, the US government found itself with more than a surplus of aircraft.
A dry climate and little rain make Davis Monthan AFB the perfect place to store aircraft. The weather conditions at the base are ideal for the outdoor storage of aircraft. The hot and dry conditions limit corrosion and degradation of the stored aircraft.
More than just an aviation boneyard
The boneyard is hundreds of acres of aircraft parked from wing tip to wing tip. The base hosts over 3,200 aircraft from all services and other government agencies, such as NASA and the Forest Service.
The AMARG is also in charge of the storage of engines, aircraft parts, and other support equipment.
In addition to storage, Davis Monthan AFB also provides regeneration services. Some aircraft are stored there temporarily, meaning that they could be returned to service at a later date. The base provides maintenance for some aircraft and can regenerate them as necessary.
Davis Monthan AFB is closed to civilian tours but other amazing boneyard tours in the area are available
While tours used to be available at Davis Monthan AFB, they have been closed to the public for a few years. Visitors are not allowed on base, but you can still see the frequent A-10 and F-35 fighters departing from the base. You can also see the boneyard from the air on arrival and departure to nearby Tucson International Airport (TUS).
The good news is that Davis Monthan AFB is not the only boneyard in the region. There are plenty of ways to get your avgeek fix near Tucson.
Pima Air Museum
Pima Air Museum is located nearby. There, you can see over 400 aircraft and receive a guided tour of over 80 acres of aviation history.
The Pima Air Museum includes several unique aircraft, including NASA’s Boeing 747 SOFIA, one of the first Boeing 787s off the assembly line, and several unique fighter aircraft.
The museum also offers three hangars filled with aircraft from World War II, Vietnam, and recent conflicts. But that’s not all. Anything and everything from military helicopters to Russian jet fighters is on display inside, with larger aircraft stored outside. This museum is considered one of the world’s largest non-government-funded aviation museums.
The boneyard also sells guided tours of its property. That’s right, you can go in and see some of the stored aircraft, with professionals sharing unique history about their collection.
Tours Are Available for Other Boneyards Too
Our friends at Boneyard Safari offer a number of tours throughout the year.
Boneyard Safari primarily hosts tours at Aircraft Restoration Marketing. It is one of the last regeneration facilities in Tucson. Boneyard Safari tour guides will take up to 10 guests at a time through a C-130, DC-3/C-47, Boeing 727, and walk around various other aircraft, including a C-27A, T-37, C-131F, and P-3.
Boneyard Safari is also available for other driving tours throughout the area upon request.
Prepare for your visit to a Boneyard
Remember, the boneyards are located near Tucson, Arizona, which means it’s hot and sunny most of the year! Temperatures commonly climb to over 100°F (40 degrees Celsius). Bring sunscreen and plenty of water/beverages to stay hydrated. It gets especially hot inside and around the aircraft themselves.
We recommend pants to avoid getting burned if you accidentally touch the hot metal of the aircraft while climbing around them. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, and not flip flops or Crocs. You’ll need suitable footwear to explore the aircraft.
