Check with the Museum regarding tour cancellations, tour departure dates/times, ticket prices, reservations, security clearances, and seasonal schedules, at the official website of the Pima Air and Space Museum Boneyards typically do not allow visitors and do not provide tours. Boneyard tours are exclusively handled by the Pima museum. The Boneyard is located on Davis-Monthan Air … AMARG, or the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group is a joint service facility managed by the US Air Force Material Command located in the city of Tucson, AZ. AMARG "Boneyard" Tour departing from the Pima Air & Space Museum By direction of the US Air Force, AMARG "Boneyard" Tours have been suspended indefinitely. With the area's low humidity in the 10%-20% range, meager rainfall of 11" annually, hard alkaline soil, and high altitude of 2,550 feet allowing the aircraft to be naturally preserved for cannibalization or possible reuse, Davis-Monthan is the logical choice for a major storage facility. Davis-Monthan Air Force Boneyard in Tucson. MOJAVE   |  KINGMAN  |  PHOENIX GOODYEAR   |  SCLA VICTORVILLE  |  ROSWELL  |  PINAL The geology of the desert allows aircraft to be moved around without having to pave the storage areas. The Airpark is open to the public. A new mission was to train all aircrews for the conversion of 12 tactical wings to the F-4C fighter-bomber jet. The physical address of the Air Center is 1 Jerry Smith Circle, Roswell, NM 88203. DM AFB is the main storage area for military aircraft ranging from F-16s, F-15s to B-52 bombers, refueling and training aircraft - fixed wing and rotary. If youre near Tucson, dont miss Pima or the Boneyard tour. Located in Arizona, California and New Mexico are seven major airplane boneyards, each in dry, low-humidity desert environments and offering long runways and extensive storage areas. No organized tours are available at the Kingman Airport. The official website of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. It is the largest airplane boneyard in the world. Aerial view of C-130 aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base AMARG boneyard, Aerial view of C-135 aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base AMARG boneyard, C-135 aircraft in the parts reclamation area at Davis-MOnthan Air Force Base's AMARG facility, Boeing 707 stored for use as parts for USAF C-135 aircraft. Davis-Monthan is today the location of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), the sole aircraft boneyard and parts reclamation facility for all excess military and government aircraft. Tucson, Arizona The Aircraft Boneyard outside of Tucson is a legendary roadside destination: over 4,000 mothballed aircraft baking in the sun, stretched across four square miles of Arizona desert. Davis-Monthan AFB's role in the storage of military aircraft began after World War II, and continues today. The fuel system is protected by draining it, refilling it with lightweight oil, and then draining it again, leaving a protective oil film. In January of 1942 jurisdiction of the field transferred from the 4th Air Force to 2nd Air Force. During official, major events, visitors should enter the airport property from the south on Airport Boulevard at the Highway 58 entrance. with rows of C-141 Starlifters, B-1B Lancers and F-111 Aardvarks in storage, Aerial view of work areas at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base AMARG, F-100 Super Sabre S/N 63880 on display on Celebrity Row at AMARG - As a large premier base, DM has won the Commanders-in-Chief Installation Excellence Award in 2018 and 2012. It is the only boneyard open to the public, but under strict access rules. F-86A Sabre and F-86D Sabre Dog aircraft remained the squadron's primary weapon systems until 1959 when the F-89 Scorpion was added to the arsenal. Not all aircraft at the boneyard are scrapped. Boneyard facilities are generally located in deserts, such as those in the Southwestern United States, since the dry conditions reduce corrosion and the hard ground does not need to be paved. The 309th AMARG was previously Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, and the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, and its predecessor was established after World War II as the 3040th Aircraft Storage Group. "The Boneyard" -- officially called the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) facility -- sits at Davis-Monthan AFB near Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ. TUCSON, Ariz. — As boneyards go, this place is pretty lively. It has evolved into "the largest aircraft boneyard in the world". The tour also visits the parts reclamation area to the east of Kolb Road. Davis-Monthan Airport became Tucson Army Air Field in 1940, and was renamed Davis-Monthan Army Air Field on December 3, 1941, just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Kingman Airport & Industrial Park is five miles north of Interstate 40 in Kingman, Arizona, and spans 4,000 acres. No organized tours are available at the RIAC. Boneyard Safari is located at 10645 N Oracle Road, Suite 121 - 101, Oro Valley, Arizona 85737. Phone 520.314.7478. On June 18, the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) was assigned to the base and had the honor of being one of the first two air refueling squadrons in the U.S. Air Force, flying the KB-29M tanker.Â. The Boneyard is … As of November 1, 2017 all guests interested in taking this tour must have made a reservation and received a security clearance in advance. The tour also visits the parts reclamation area to the east of Kolb Road. The best viewing of the jetliners stored there is from South Bullard Avenue, which runs along the west side of the airport. After being named the "Best Base in the Air Force", DM continued to grow the partnership between the base and the city of Tucson. The plane is towed by a tug to its designated "storage" position. The jet's assigned call sign was "Last One.". showing more than 600 B-29 Superfortress and 200 C-47 aircraft, Rows of cocooned B-29 Superfortress bombers in storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, circa 1950, Boeing B-29 "Bockscar" in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Aerial view of Convair B-36 Peacemakers at Davis-Monthan AFB awaiting scrapping, Stacks of metal ingots from melted Boeing B-47 Stratojets at Davis-Monthan in April, 1962. Watch the video above to see all of the cool planes and space aircraft! All guns, ejection seat charges, and classified hardware are removed, along with clocks and data plates. In February of 1956, the first Convair B-36 Peacemaker aircraft arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB for scrapping. Phoenix Goodyear does not offer tours to the public. It’s guaranteed to interest anyone! The company dismantles, transports, refurbishes and seeks replacement parts for both government and civilian aircraft, for businesses and individuals internationally. If you are on the Airside being escorted or on a tour you are asked not to, unless you are told you may. The area to the east is used to store aircraft which are in the process of being reclaimed for parts. or phone the Museum at 520.618.4805. This map was created by a user. While you can drive through some of the the streets and roads at SCLA, most business and industry areas are restricted. You can get tickets online or in person at the gift shop. Orders for spare parts are received by AMARG on a Form 44. The last one was retired from service in 1970. Type 4000 - aircraft in excess of DoD needs - these have been gutted and every usable part has been reclaimed. The security clearance will be given by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from information collected at the time of reservation. SITE MAP  |  TERMS OF USE  |  PRIVACY POLICY  |  CONTACT Some were preserved and returned to action in the Korean War, others were scrapped. AMARG's technicians re-installed hundreds of parts and performed thousands of hours of maintenance to return the fighter to flyable status. BONEYARD STORAGE, PARTS RECLAMATION & SCRAPPING OPERATIONS MOJAVE   |  KINGMAN  |  PHOENIX GOODYEAR   |  SCLA VICTORVILLE  |  ROSWELL  |  PINAL Featuring about 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. All guns, ejection seat charges, and classified hardware are removed, along with clocks and data plates. Reservations must be made 10 business days in advance of the desired tour date, and can be made up to 90 days in advance. They will be sold, broken down into scrap, smelted into ingots, and recycled. Pictured, Northwest planes at the aircraft boneyard in Tucson Arizona. The only access to the airplane boneyard for non-cleared individuals is via a bus tour that begins at the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum, located across E. Valencia Road from Davis-Monthan. Many of the B-29s would be pressed back into service as the Korean War escalated in the early 1950s. See map below. It has evolved into “the largest aircraft boneyard in the world“. Aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, NASA and other government agencies are processed at AMARG, which employs 550 people, almost all civilians. All of the fleet of 384 Peacemakers would ultimately be dismantled except for four remaining B-36 survivors saved for air museums. Military aircraft boneyard tucson az largest aircraft boneyard aircraft boneyard keeps planes for largest airplane graveyard in the world aircraft boneyard tour tucson arizona Davis Monthan Afb Tucson Az Largest Aircraft Boneyard In The World At 309th Amarg Facility Tours Location Maps Photographs And AccessAircraft Boneyard Marks 70th Year In Tucson Local NewsDavis Monthan Afb … BAE Systems will convert the aircraft into a QRF-4C drone, and then deliver it to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. These were temporarily stored and subsequently disposed of at 30 airfields, with the largest concentrations at seven major depots such as Kingman Army Airfield in Arizona and Walnut Ridge Army Air Field in Arkansas. BAE Systems will convert the aircraft into a QRF-4C drone, and then deliver it to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. This aircraft represents the 316th F-4 withdrawn from storage in support of Air Combat Command's full-scale aerial target program. With the end of World War II and victory over Japan and Germany assured, the United States found itself with a large inventory of aircraft, numbering about 65,000. The Mojave Air & Space Port does not offer tours to the public. Tours offer walk through aircraft, history at Tucson "boneyard" Shown below are several books about AMARG and boneyards available at Amazon that might be of interest to our readers. This aircraft represents the 316th F-4 withdrawn from storage in support of Air Combat Command's full-scale aerial target program. The Superfortress later flew to Barksdale AFB after 7 years of storage on February 17, 2015 at 23,000 feet at a speed of 250 knots with a crew of three. Of the 100 B-1B Lancers that were built for the U.S. Air Force, about 60 remain in active service. The following month on February 20, 1948, the first B-50 Superfortress arrived and was delivered to the 43 BW. The Mojave Air and Space Port and industrial park in the California desert is home to more than 60 companies engaged in flight development, highly advanced aerospace design, flight test and research, the wind industry, and heavy rail industrial manufacturing. On January 13, 1948 Davis-Monthan Army Air Field was officially redesignated Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. located in Marana, Arizona, northwest of Tucson, Entrance area, Pinal Airpark (staff photo), Boeing 747 being reclaimed at the Mojave Airport in California Boneyards typically do not allow visitors and do not provide tours. Regarding photography at the Pinal Airpark: If you are on the public side of the airpark, photography is permitted. As always, we recommend obeying all warning signs and avoiding restricted areas. The Pinal Airpark, located in Marana, Arizona, northwest of Tucson, is a county-owned airport just north of the Pinal/Pima county line along Interstate 10. Training at the airfield came to a halt in August 1945, when the Japanese unconditionally surrendered. Seen in the photo to the right are Lancer bombers in storage at Davis-Monthan's AMARG facility. Once a military plane is stripped of parts, the remains are put up for bid to private scrap dealers. Over the years, hundreds of surplus B-52 Stratofortress bombers have been dismantled at the facility, either due to obsolescence or as part of disarmament treaties. Due to security requirements on Davis-Monthan, there are baggage checks before boarding the bus, and limitations on what you can carry on the tours. Tail number 68-0599, an RF-4C Phantom, arrived at AMARG for storage on January 18, 1989 and had not flown since. However, visitors are welcomed during the monthly “Plane Crazy Saturdays" to see the airport, static displays and possible fly-ins. ... about the Southern California Logistics Airport. The northern boundary of the area is East Escalante Road and East Irvington Road, while the southern boundary runs along East Valencia Road. or have an affiliation with any boneyard, the Department of Defense, or any aviation museum or tour group, Pima Air & Space Museum, the starting point for bus tours of the AMARG boneyard. In addition, about 30 other aircraft were stored at Davis-Monthan that were destined for museums, including the "Enola Gay" and "Bockscar". In earlier years, such companies would receive aircraft mostly intact; today, they are shredded/crushed before being provided to the scrapping companies. AMARC Experience - Extensive information on the boneyard, and includes a searchable database by Serial/BuNo as well as listings by aircraft manufacturer. All aircraft going into storage are processed as follows: AMARG uses the following official "Type" categories for aircraft in storage: Kolb Road runs north-south through the AMARG area, and is below ground level so viewing aircraft from this part of the road is really not possible from a moving vehicle. On October 15, 1959, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Committee approved Davis-Monthan as the first Titan II base, and in the early 1960s the base was selected to become home to an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) wing. Advanced reservations are required for this tour. Tours of the boneyard are available on weekdays from the Pima Air and Space Museum, located at 6000 East Valencia Road in Tucson. This is the largest airplane boneyard in the world! JetYard LLC is a FAA 145 Repair Station #7QAR515C, providing complete aircraft storage and parking along with part-out and disassembly services. The outbreak of World War II brought major changes to Davis-Monthan, with units of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 41st Bombardment Group (BG) departing for the Pacific theater. Tour buses enter the Irvington Gate onto the base off Kolb Road, and visit "Celebrity Row," the maintenance areas and long-term storage on the west side of Kolb Road. The boneyard was established in 1946 to store World War II bombers and transports. Under various names, AMARC has performed its unusual mission since it housed B-29s and C-47s from World War II. ARIZONA BONEYARDS  |  CALIFORNIA BONEYARDS  |  BONEYARDS IN EUROPE In February of 1953 the 303rd BW received four Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars training jets. So, last summer we were finally going to Tucson, Arizona. These aircraft are "inviolate" - have a high potential to return to flying status and no parts may be removed from them. Virtually all airplane boneyards and storage facilities are limited access sites. The virtual tour includes 9 stops around the facility that highlight its major attractions. Due to security requirements on Davis-Monthan AFB, there are baggage checks before boarding the bus, and limitations on what you can carry on the tours. When aircraft arrive at the AMARG, they are by the \"receiving branch\". For AMARG bus tour departure times, ticket prices, current policies, security clearances, reservation information, and seasonal schedules, visit the Pima Air and Space Museum Website or phone 520.618.4805. While some planes went into civilian usage, most were scrapped and their metal components melted and sold. Type 3000 - "flying hold" aircraft kept in near flyable condition in short-term, temporary storage; waiting for transfer to another unit, sale to another country, or reclassification to the other three types. We encourage potential visitors to check with individual sites to learn about access policies and tours. These aircraft are “represerved” every four years. and the nearby Pima Air Museum, Aerial view of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, with AMARG to the right, USAF C-5 Galaxy transport in storage at Davis-Monthan's AMARG facility, Aerial view of C-141 and B-52 aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base AMARG boneyard, F-4 Phantom II fighters in desert storage at Tucson, Arizona, AMARG, Looking over the fence at AMARG ... C-130 Hercules aircraft in storage, Stacks of Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks at Davis-Monthan AFB awaiting scrapping in November, 1958, End of the line: ground view of B-36 Peacemakers at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1958, Long-term aircraft storage area at Davis-Monthan AMARG (staff photo), Aerial view of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and AMARG airplane boneyard in Tucson, Arizona Of course, its official title is slightly less mysterious than its evocative nickname. The 355th flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II and associated support aircraft such as the EC-130 Hercules. The boneyard was established in 1946 to store World War II bombers and transports. The washing is especially important for aircraft that have served aboard aircraft carriers or in tropical locations where they were subject to the corrosive effects of warm, salty air. In the USAF photos below, B-52H Stratofortress "Ghost Rider" S/N 61-1007 is seen being restored back to flight status by AMARG boneyard personnel along with maintenance crews from Barksdale, Minot and Tinker Air Force Bases. Tour buses enter the Irvington Gate onto the base off Kolb Road, and visit "Celebrity Row," the maintenance areas and long-term storage on the west side of Kolb Road. In early 1965, aircraft from Litchfield Park began the move from Phoenix to Tucson, mostly moved by truck, a cheaper alternative than removing planes from their protective coverings, flying them, and protecting them again. Type 2000 - aircraft available for parts reclamation, as “aircraft storage bins” for parts, to keep other aircraft flying. While the tour stops at different locations, no one is allowed off the bus. In 1985, the facility's name was changed again, from MASDC to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) as outdated ICBM missiles also entered storage at Davis-Monthan. In early 1975, the 355 TFW prepared for conversion to the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II - Warthog. the gate area is about 3 miles west of Interstate 10. Highway 85 (Main Street) runs along the south portion of the airport property. At the same time, construction on a new 11,500 feet runway was completed in preparation for the arrival of the first jet bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. Our new airliner spotting website includes visual guides for identifying jet airliners from Boeing and Airbus, as well as Bombardier, Embraer, Antonov and others. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Davis-Monthan also played a post-war role by housing German POWs from June 1945 to March 1946. Each aircraft is washed on arrival . Copyright © 2020 AirplaneBoneyards.com  All Rights Reserved. This is done using a variety of materials, ranging from ". Photo: Alamy Demand for the 747, which has been tweaked and upgraded many times since its first flight in 1969, has dried up. The Airplane Boneyards website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The security clearance will be given by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from information collected at the time of reservation. Today, the host unit at Davis–Monthan remains the 355th Fighter Wing (355 FW) assigned to the Twelfth Air Force, which is headquartered at the base as part of Air Combat Command (ACC). In that year the five fleets calling for the most parts were the Air Force's F-15, B-1B, F-16, C-5, and C-135. The Tucson Chamber of Commerce established the nation's first municipally-owned airfield in 1919 in the dry, Arizona desert. 520.574.1200Â. No organized tours are available. The Phoenix Goodyear Airport is located about 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, and south of Interstate Highway I-10. The Boneyard In Arizona Is The Resting Place For More Than 4,000 Abandoned Airplanes The Boneyard in Arizona is a cool storage spot for military aircraft that has a creepy vibe. Along with this move, the name of the 2704th Air Force Storage and Disposition Group was changed to Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) to better reflect its joint services mission. They will be directed to specific areas for parking and viewing. Airplane Graveyard / Tucson, Arizona. For more information, visit the website of the Pinal County Airpark and/or tenant companies and government agencies for current information on access. United Air Lines Boeing 727-100, S/N N7004U, built in 1963, on display at Davis-Monthan AMARG's "Celebrity Row". Davis-Monthan & AMARG’s Role as the Largest Military Aircraft Boneyard. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII). Tucson, AZ 85706. Seats … Also, the airport offers a Mojave Air and Space Port Virtual Driving Tour. Lt. Col. Gene Gaddis still painted on the fuselage (staff photo), Reclaimed parts at Davis-Monthan's AMARG facility, Pima Air & Space Museum, the starting point for AMARG bus tours, United States of America C-135K S/N 91518 at AMARG in Arizona, U.S. Air Force C-22A Transport, S/N 84-0193 ... variant of the Boeing 727 ... parked on Celebrity Row, Convair C-131 Samaritan, S/N 72552, military version of the Convair 240, Celebrity Row, AMARG, USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, C-5A Galaxy transports in storage at Davis-Monthan AMARG, C-5A Galaxy reclamation at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base AMARG, C-141 Starlifter cargo aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB AMARG facility, C-141 Starlifter being recliamed - former AETC aircraft from Altus AFB, S/N 67946, RF-4C Phantom tail number 68-0599 after regeneration at Davis-Monthan AMARG (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force). Two months later two B-29 Bombardment Groups, the 40th and 444th, arrived and once again the B-29 Superfortress became a key element in base operations. BONEYARD STORAGE, PARTS RECLAMATION & SCRAPPING OPERATIONS For more information, contact the East Kern Airport District, 1434 Flightline, Mojave, CA 93501. Another role of AMARG is to support the program that converts old fighter jets, such as the F-4 Phantom II and F-16, into aerial target drones. Please contact Christina M. Martinez at (520) 866-6448 or email PinalAirPark@pinalcountyaz.gov for information/tour questions. For AMARG bus tour departure times, ticket prices, policies, reservations, security details, and seasonal schedules, visit the Pima Air and Space Museum Website It stores numerous retired aircraft, and since World War II has become one of the largest aircraft storage facilities in the world, chosen because of the area's low humidity, meager rainfall, hard alkaline soil, and high altitude which allows aircraft stored here to be naturally preserved for cannibalization or possible reuse. Learn how to create your own. Reservations must be made 10 business days in advance of the desired tour date, and can be made up to 90 days in advance. AMARG's technicians re-installed hundreds of parts and performed thousands of hours of maintenance to return the fighter to flyable status. In Fiscal Year 2012 AMARG "pulled" more than 10,000 parts, with a value of $472 million. The only Navy airplane on the top 10 list, the P-3 Orion, came in sixth. The tours last about an hour and a half, and are highly recommended. The largest boneyard in the world, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, does allow tours of its Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) facility. (photo courtesy of the Mojave Air and Space Port), Airbus A340-300 of Aerolineas Argentinas, registration LV-BIT, in desert storage at the Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Mojave Air and Space Port Virtual Driving Tour, official website of the Mojave Air and Space Port, Tours offer walk through aircraft, history at Tucson "boneyard", AMARG MILITARY BONEYARD AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, BONEYARD STORAGE, PARTS RECLAMATION & SCRAPPING OPERATIONS. or phone the museum at 520.618.4805. An online resource about facilities engaged in the storage, reclamation & disassembly of aircraft ... we do not own or operate a boneyard, The access to the actual boneyard is limited due to the sensitive nature of the equipment but there are bus tours for civilians. See more ideas about Airplane graveyard, Graveyard, Airplane boneyard. All guests interested in taking this tour must have made a reservation and received a security clearance in advance. On June 18, the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) was assigned to the base and had the honor of being one of the first two air refueling squadrons in the U.S. Air Force, flying the, On July 1, 1971 the Air Force reactivated the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Davis-Monthan with the Vought A-7D Corsair II as the primary weapon system. Photography is permitted from the bus. The Museum is a public non-profit 501 (c)3 organization that conducts this tour on behalf of the U.S. Air Force base. Other planes were kept for future usage, and stored at several locations, including Warner-Robins, Victorville, Pyote Army Air Field in Texas, and Davis-Monthan AAF. In early 1975, the 355 TFW prepared for conversion to the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II - Warthog. The airport was named in honor of Lieutenants Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan, two WWI pilots, and both Tucson natives, who died in military aircraft accidents. The main entrance to the airport is from South Litchfield Road (exit 128 I-10). The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), often called The Boneyard, is a United States Air Force aircraft and missile storage and maintenance facility in Tucson, Arizona, located on Davis–Monthan Air Force Base. 50 aircraft boneyards where planes go after use page 6 of 59 mentertained aircraft boneyard tour tucson arizona and map of airplane boneyards in the united states worldwide including a post wwii boneyardodern day airliner storage facilities a tour of the boneyard daily pla air e airplane graveyard top 10 google earth finds time. On July 1, 1971 the Air Force reactivated the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Davis-Monthan with the Vought A-7D Corsair II as the primary weapon system. In 1965, the Department of Defense decided to close its Litchfield Park storage facility in Phoenix, and consolidate the Navy's surplus air fleet into Davis-Monthan. The area to the west of Kolb Road is used mainly for long-term storage, but also contains the arrivals ramp, maintenance shelters, wash racks, lubrication area, and preservation preparation. The jet's assigned call sign was "Last One.". A Visit to the Airplane Boneyard. The 2,600-acre boneyard currently holds over 4,440 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy-Marine Corps, and NASA. By May of 1946, more than 600 B-29 Superfortresses and 200 C-47 Skytrains had been moved to Davis-Monthan. An online resource about facilities engaged in the storage, reclamation & disassembly of aircraft ... we do not own or operate a boneyard, Immediately after the war, the Army's San Antonio Air Technical Service Command established a storage facility primarily for B-29 Superfortress and C-47 Skytrain aircraft at Davis-Monthan. It is asked that people respect the wishes of those owners and operators. Next stop on our tour: the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where weve got space-available military lodging reservations. Each aircraft brings along its entire history of documentation, including maintenance actions over its years of service. AMARG is a controlled-access facility and thus off-limits to personnel without the proper clearance. ARM is located at 5080 E. Nebraska, Copyright © 2020 AirplaneBoneyards.com  All Rights Reserved. Another aircraft change occurred in 1960 when the F-101B Voodoo became the units' interceptor. Arizona Daily Star - Tucson.com - 04/20/2017. Where Airplanes Go When They Die There’s a chance that they’re in the Davis-Monthan Air Force Airplane Boneyard in Tucson, Arizona. Each aircraft brings along its entire history of documentation, including maintenance actions over its years of service. In December of 1944 Davis-Monthan became home to the B-29 Superfortress. The only access to the airplane boneyard for non-cleared individuals is via a bus tour that begins at the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Once a month the Boneyard Safari provides a hands-on tour in conjunction with ARM in Tucson. Docents guide guests through a C-130, DC-3/C-47, Boeing 727, and walk around various other aircraft including a C-27A, T-37, C-131F, HU-16, and P-3. The Air Force Materiel Command's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) is organized as follows: When aircraft arrive at the AMARG, they are by the "receiving branch". It documents the requesting base/unit, its priority, whether it supports a combat mission, classification, special handling requirements, acceptable substitutions, and other information. ARIZONA BONEYARDS  |  CALIFORNIA BONEYARDS  |  BONEYARDS IN EUROPE Two privately-operated, unofficial websites monitor the inventory at AMARG, using Freedom of Information listings published monthly by the 309th AMARG. Aircraft Restoration & Marketing (ARM) is located next to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. The tours last about an hour and a half, and are highly recommended. B-47B S/N 51-2284 rests in the background, awaiting its turn at the smelter, with 51-2321 seen in the left of photo. "The Boneyard" in Tuscon, Arizona is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. I’d never been before and had wanted to go ever since I first heard that there was a place that old, dead airplanes were laid to rest called, in Air Force slang, “the Boneyard.” Type 1000 - aircraft at AMARG for long-term storage, to be maintained until recalled to active service. The guided bus tours of AMARG are available Monday thru Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The museum is located at 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85756. AMARC is situated near the heart of Tucson, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, a boneyard for some 4000 airplanes. It is the ideal storage facility given the place’s low humidity (10% to 20% range), high altitude and hard alkaline soil. AMARG is a controlled-access facility and off-limits to personnel without the proper clearance. The industrial park is a vibrant commercial community, and home to more than 70 businesses in diverse fields, including the temporary storage of airliners. In 1927 the airfield was moved to a site southeast of town and dedicated as Davis-Monthan Field, then the largest municipal airport in the United States. Tucson was chosen for its dry desert air — perfect for preventing corrosion — and hard caliche soil capable of supporting heavy airplanes without the need for thousands of acres of concrete. (USAF Photo), Map of the location of Davis-Monthan AFB, the AMARG boneyard areas, By May of 1946, more than 600 B-29 Superfortresses and 200 C-47 Skytrains had been moved to Davis-Monthan. Typically controlling over 4,200 aircraft, AMARG isn't just a boneyard, but a place for the military to store planes it may need for future use. SITE MAP  |  TERMS OF USE  |  PRIVACY POLICY  |  CONTACT In 1964, the last B-47 departed Davis-Monthan, making way for the arrival of nearly 50 F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Tail number 68-0599, an RF-4C Phantom, arrived at AMARG for storage on January 18, 1989 and had not flown since. or have an affiliation with any boneyard, the Department of Defense, or any aviation museum or tour group, Aerial view of Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, May 1946, The Pinal Airpark can be reached via I-10 Exit 232 onto the Pinal Air Park Road ... Tour information for the Davis-Monthan AFB airplane boneyard, click here to view the interactive image at AerialSphere.com, Boneyard Bound: First KC-10 set for retirement, USAF's Last 'Spooky' Gunship Heads to the Boneyard, Davis-Monthan AFB aircraft boneyard keeps planes for parts or possible reuse, Second B-52H Begins Regeneration Process at AMARG, 'Boneyard' in the desert recycles, refurbishes over 3,000 military planes, The sun's setting on Corps' last EA-6B Prowler squadron with end of final deployment, Air Force turns to the Boneyard to train thousands of new maintainers, 309th AMARG sends off final regenerated C-27J, Mysterious US Army spyplane turns up at the Boneyard in Arizona, Last Air Force C-5A has left Westover for boneyard, The Air Force got parts from its boneyard to put its biggest plane back into service, Advance reservations now required for Davis-Monthan AFB AMARG bus tour, 309th AMARG delivers 23 F/A-18C Hornets ahead of schedule, Tours offer walk through aircraft, history at Tucson "boneyard", Air Force's oldest HC-130 retires from Patrick AFB in Florida, More older model C-130s being sent to AMARG, The airplane graveyard in Tucson, Arizona, The Boneyard's airplane-loving workers are in their element, Desperate for planes, military turns to the "boneyard", Marines pull aircraft from "boneyard", get used jets, Boneyard techs putting F-16s back in the air as drones, Aircraft "Boneyard" marks 70th year in Tucson, Historic military aircraft find new life at Tucson's "Boneyard", Click here to Tucson was chosen for its dry desert air — perfect for preventing corrosion — and … Aircraft in the boneyard come from all branches of the military. The Roswell International Air Center (RIAC) is located five miles south of the central business district of the City of Roswell, New Mexico. The last Air Force B-47 Stratojet bomber was retired at the end of 1969, and the entire fleet was dismantled at Davis-Monthan except for about 30 Stratojets which were saved for display in air museums. Feb 4, 2013 - Explore Travis Benedict's board "AirPlane Graveyard Tucson Arizona" on Pinterest. Photography is permitted from the bus. watch a AMARG-produced video about the role and operation of the boneyard, AMARG MILITARY BONEYARD AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, BONEYARD STORAGE, PARTS RECLAMATION & SCRAPPING OPERATIONS, Aircraft on display at "Celebrity Row" seen on the bus tour at Davis-Monthan's AMARG facility, USAF KC-135 tankers in storage at Davis-Monthan's AMARG facility, 576th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Squadron. Identification of different airliner types can be hard, considering the number of aircraft operating around the world daily, and in desert storage around the world. However, there are though two distinct sides to the airport just like most others. The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona is home to the largest military aircraft boneyard in the world. While the tour stops at different locations, no one is allowed off the bus. The staffing at the base includes 6,000 Airmen and 1,700 civilian personnel. For additional information on the airport and industrial park, contact the City of Kingman, 7000 Flightline Drive, Kingman AZ 86401, or phone 928.757.2134. The Boneyard can be found in Tuscon, Arizona, in the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The Mojave airport is also a storage and reclamation facility for commercial airliners, due to the vast area and dry desert conditions. AIRLINER BONEYARDS  |  AMARG MILITARY BONEYARD AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB Located in Arizona, California and New Mexico are seven major airplane boneyards, each in dry, low-humidity desert environments and offering long runways and extensive storage areas. These older planes are gone, sold as surplus or scrapped. It is located just north of Air Base Road (Air Expressway). The Pinal Airpark has limited availability for tours, as it is an operational airport. The final F-4 regenerated from storage at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group performed its last flight over Tucson, Arizona on April 17, 2013, before flying to Mojave, California. Virtually all airplane boneyards and storage facilities are limited access sites. The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Tucson, Arizona, the largest facility of its kind, is colloquially known as "The Boneyard". Very well done! The boneyard, in Tucson, is the largest aircraft storage facility in the world with about 4,000 military aircraft of various types.