aircraft boneyard tours

The "Boneyard" Of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Is Open For Tours

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8 Arizona Canyon Hikes Better Than The Grand Canyon

This overlooked arizona national park looks straight out of avatar, 10 charming small towns near tucson, arizona.

The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is one of a kind and certainly a wonder to behold. It is a US Air Force base 5 miles southeast of downtown Tucson, Arizona, and is famous for its massive aircraft boneyard for storing American military aircraft. The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is the destination for all American excess military and aerospace craft.

Tuscon is an interesting city, and there is plenty to keep one busy if coming to visit for the weekend. Incorporate the Air Force Base and museum into one's trip to Tuscon and one will have a very memorable time here . Another American (but top secret) base that we all wish we knew more of is the famed Area 51 - home to those crashed little green men .

About The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

As the sole aircraft boneyard for excess military aircraft is full of thousands of military airplanes of every sort imaginable. It also stores other aerospace vehicles like ballistic missiles.

• 4,000: Number of Military Aircraft Parked on the Base

Tuscon's dry climate and alkali soil make it an ideal location to store and preserve unused aircraft.

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) is responsible for reserving these excess aircraft was established in 1946. It occupies some 2,600 acres and houses every kind of American military aircraft one can think of. To name a few that one can see:

• B-52 Stratofortress Bombers
• F-16 Fighting Falcons
• A-10 Warthogs
• C-130 Hercules
• B-1B Lancers

Storage Categories

The boneyard has the following official categories for how it stores the aircraft:

• Type 1000: Long Term Storage, Maintained Until Recalled into Active Service, They Have a High Potential to Return To Flying Status And No Parts Are Removed
• Type 2000: Aircraft Available for Part As "Aircraft Storage Bins" To Keep Other Aircraft Flying
• Type 3000: "Flying Hold" Kept to Near Flyable Condition - In Temporary Storage Awaiting sale To Another Country or Transfer to Another Unit
• Type 4000: Excess Of Needs And Have Been Gutted And Every Usable Part Has Been Reclaimed. To Be Scrapped

It is the foremost facility for the maintenance, salvage, and storage of military aircraft in the world.

This is a very active site and not an abandoned site that one may be tempered to sneak into. It is very much guarded by armed security and airforce personal.

Related: Go UFO Hunting In Roswell, New Mexico, And Then Check Out Their UFO Museum

Davis-Month Air Force Base Tour

The Davis-Month Air Force Base offers a tour of their air force base (but not the neighboring boneyard.

The 355th Wing offers group tours with the aim of educating people about the US Air Force and its missions. They do not accommodate individuals or non-organized groups. But they do try to accommodate specific requests to visit a particular unit or learn about certain missions.

These tours are only provided to organized groups like civic organizations, schools, businesses, and reunion groups.

If one would like a tour, one must complete the " Community Relations Request Form " and e-mail it to [email protected] at least 4 weeks or more before the intended date.

• Organized Groups Only: No Private Tours
• Limit: Tours Are Limited to a Minimum of 20 People and a Max of 45 (or the Capability of One Commercial Bus)
• When: Tours Are Only Offered On Weekdays
• Duration: Tours Are Max 4 Hours
• Age Limit: Only 18 And Over (ID Is Required)
• Dining: There are Dining Options On The Bace Like Mirage Club andEagle's Nest Snack Bar & Grill

Related: This Is What Air Force One Serves As Its Halloween In-Flight Meal

Pima Air & Space Museum & Former Boneyard Tours

On-site is the impressive Pima Air & Space Museum . It offers some very impressive Air Force exhibits and until recently offered exclusive bus tours of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARG) - aka the 'boneyard'. It is located adjacent to the Museum at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Admission to the museum itself includes access to the Main Hangar (3 hangars combined into 1: Hangar 1, Spirit of Freedom, & Flight Central), three World War II Hangars, the 390th Memorial Museum (a separate museum on our grounds), a collection of 400+ aircraft and 125,000+ artifacts, and more.

They offer a 45 minute Tram tour through the museum's 80 acres on a 1.5-mile circuit that views over 150 airplanes in their collection. The Tram Tours are narrated by experienced and friendly guides that explain the various highlights of the collections.

Narration may include the plane’s significance, and often times share their personal stories of service with many of the aircraft on display.

• Museum Admission: Adult (Age 13+) $18.50 - 1 Day or $24.00 2 Days

The Air Force 309th section of the base includes the massive boneyard. Unfortunately, they no longer provide tours of the 'Boneyard'. They did offer visitors for nearly 23 years but now tours are canceled. Perhaps they will offer them once again in the future. They recommend those interested in learning more about the Boneyard to visit their Facebook page .

Next: See The Best Of The Sonoran Desert In The Saguaro National Park

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How to See the Remarkable Arizona Plane Graveyard (Tucson Boneyard) – Updated for 2024

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Last Updated on May 17, 2024

INSIDE: The Arizona Plane Graveyard (Tucson Boneyard) no longer offers on-base tours. How to see the planes using nearby roads – NEW for 2024!

A few years ago we took a tour of the Arizona airplane graveyard–also known as the Tucson “Boneyard.” It was an awesome way to see the place where over 3,000 surplus military aircraft are stored. Then in early 2020 COVID hit and tours were stopped. We waited, and waited, and waited for tours to resume . . . but 4 years later it looks like it’s not gonna happen. 🙁

Fortunately there are still ways to see the planes without going onto the military base where they’re located.

You just have to know where to look . . .

. . . And you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you all about it.

The Arizona plane graveyard is a must-visit site for anyone who loves aircraft (that’s us! ✋). Learn about this amazing place, and how you can see “the Boneyard,” as it’s unofficially known− even if you can’t get on base . Visiting the Boneyard is one of the truly unique things to do in Tucson -there’s nothing else like it. Anywhere.

Click Here to see Table of Contents ➤

What, exactly, IS the Arizona Plane Graveyard?

“The Boneyard” is officially known as the 309th AMARG Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (military-speak for a really cool airplane junkyard Tucson Az).

It’s located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base , on the southeastern edge of Tucson, where it is the final resting place of more than 3,000 aircraft.

AMARG is the world’s largest salvage yard (minus the snarling dogs). And, since those planes−and their respective parts−still have some use, don’t call it an “airplane JUNKyard Tucson AZ.” ‘Cause that would be just plain disrespectful to those retired sunbathing beauties.

The aircraft are lined up in rows set up with military precision, stacked so closely together that from above their wings look like they are holding hands with each other, a sharp contrast to their former roles.

It’s a starkly beautiful setting as, throughout the day, the silver fuselages reflect changing colors of the Rincon Mountains to the east.

Why is there a Plane Graveyard Arizona in Tucson?

The military has a problem. It has thousands of aircraft that are no longer being used, but they don’t want to just send them to the scrapyard like a used ’92 Chevy. So what to do?

It would be impractical to build giant hangars for 3,000+ aircraft, especially when many of them are no longer operational. How about sending them into semi-permanent outdoor storage?

The Sonoran Desert of Arizona provides the perfect location, where the arid climate prevents rust . So now theres a Tucson Arizona aircraft graveyard.

Despite its moniker, the “Boneyard” is not a place merely to stockpile airplanes in eternal rest. Some have been mothballed for spare parts and potential future activation.

In 2015 a B-52 bomber old enough to qualify for AARP membership was restored and returned to flying condition (those things are solid ! 💪).

Though the Cold War may have ended, the men and women deployed at the Arizona plane graveyard are on constant alert for any future chills in relations between the superpowers.

Can you tour the Tucson Airplane Graveyard?

Unfortunately, NO . Due to their placement on an active military base, tours are not offered of the airplane Boneyard Arizona. (They once were, it’s true, but those days are past, and we civilians have to accept that. 🫤)

BUT . . . it’s kind of difficult to tuck 3,000+ aircraft out of sight, so you CAN see them. You just have to know where to look.

The amount of hardware on display is striking. Some of the planes look ready to take off while others are partially salvaged, as if turkey vultures soaring overhead have been picking them clean.

Where is the Airplane Boneyard Arizona?

Fear not, we’ll give you a rundown below. But first, we’ll start with a general overview map:

In the map above shows the Arizona plane graveyard at a high-level view. This gives you some context of where the Boneyard is with respect to downtown Tucson (which is to the northwest).

Also note Tucson International Airport to the southwest. You can see that commercial airport is less than half the size of the aviation graveyard Arizona! (You need a LOT of space to store over 3,000 planes! ✈️✈️✈️)

Best Places for Planespotting at the Airplane Boneyard Arizona

The best place to see planes is on the northern perimeter of the Tucson airplane graveyard. Additionally, there are a few other places you can spot the aircraft, however they may be little more than fleeting glimpses.

Here’s a more detailed map showing the best viewing spots:

1. Escalante Road (northern perimeter): Viewing rating-10/10; Photo rating 10/10

There are a few reasons the viewing the aviation graveyard Arizona from Escalante Road is so good:

• You’re as close to the aircraft as you might be driving on base (which I remember from my on-base tour years back)
• There’s plenty of room to park, so you can take your time and ogle to your heart’s content. (Yeah, so I totally did that.)
• You are level with the planes, with no obstructions to viewing
• Lots of time to take all the photos you want

NOTE: You do need to be strategic with your camera lens, so you don’t see chain link fencing in your shot−unless you want to get “artsy.” 🤔

In the photo above, I put my camera lens (from my iPhone) in juuuuuust the right spot, up against the fence. So it looks like I’m standing smack-dab on base of the airplane boneyard Arizona.

Then, I opted for the artsy bit, with the chain-link fencing in the foreground. This demostrates just how close you can actually get to the planes! Plus I think it’s kind of cool the way the fencing creates its own frame.

As I mentioned above, there’s plenty of parking along the fence here, so you’ll be able to take all the time you like ogling the aircraft. Here’s a panoramic view of what the road/parking area/boneyard looks like:

2. E. Irvington Road (northern perimeter): Viewing rating: 8/10; Photo rating: 9/10

Slightly farther east, and a little to the south, you’ll find the northern perimeter of the aviation graveyard Arizona along East Irvington Road. Viewing is very good here, although not quite as good as Escalante Rd (above).

A few points to consider when viewing planes along E. Irvington Rd:

• The aircraft are fairly close
• There is an ample parking area
• You can take as much time as you like looking at (and photographing) the aircraft
• There is a small berm , partially obstructing the aircraft

This last point is why I only give the viewing here an 8/10 instead of 10/10. There is one area where there’s a break in the berm, however this also coincides with a wash. So if it has rained recently (such was the case when I last visited) you’ll be trudging through a big ol’ mud puddle at this spot.

All of that being said, there are still some darned good views along this area, including this one (below), where there’s a slight rise above the berm: 👇👇👇

I love this view of the tail fins all lined up, with the Santa Rita Mountains in the background. It’s hard to imagine these beauties are part of any type of aviation graveyard Arizona! (And isn’t that lone plane in U.S. Coast Guard red livery just stunning ?!)

Here’s a view along the E. Irvington Rd. fence line, to give you an idea of the terrain. You can see the berm (through the fence) as well as the slight incline on the left of the photo. This is where you can get a better view of those gorgeous tailfins 😊.

3. East Valencia Road (southern perimeter): Viewing: 3/10; Photos 3/10

The aircraft of the Arizona plane graveyard are not stored as near to the southern perimeter as they are on the northern side. A few things to keep in mind when driving along the southern side of the boneyard:

• The planes are a farther distance from the perimeter than the northern side
• Much of the roadway has creosote bushes and other vegetation obstructing your view
• There is nowhere to park

This last issue is perhaps the most critical. Unless you have someone else driving, it will be difficult to crane your neck to see the planes. (And probably unsafe as well.) It will also be impossible to photograph anything.

However, if you DO have someone else driving, here’s a map showing where you can see the planes:

Since my husband was doing the driving, I was, fortunately able to get a photo from E. Valencia Road. I’ll let you be the judge of whether it’s worth heading over to the southern perimeter. If you’re a completist, you may want to do it anyway. (Which I totally get 🤩.)

4. Kolb Road (N/S through the center): Viewing 7/10 & 0/10 (zero) ; Photos 4/10 & 0/10

Kolb Road runs north-south and slices right through the center of the Arizona plane graveyard–it essentially bisects it. So you may be thinking, “awesome! We can drive right between all the planes.” And you can . . . sort of.

There are some spots were viewing is pretty good, other areas where it is totally nonexistent. Some things to consider when driving along the Kolb Road portion of the Arizona airplane graveyard:

• Kolb Rd. is a busy road with a lot of cars
• There is nowhere to pull over along the road
• The road is below grade through much of the boneyard; you can’t see any planes.

There is a massive overpass crossing Kolb Road for the Air Force to transport aircraft from one section of the boneyard to the other. Therefore road is actually recessed for much of the distance through the boneyard.

As a result, visibility of planes is ZERO through this portion of Kolb Road. Take a look at this photo to see what I mean:

The above photo is us driving north through the boneyard. You can see the aircraft overpass in the distance. You can also see the how the road is recessed, with no planes visible here. And how there’s not much room on the shoulders to pull over.

And although you can’t see it in this photo, there are “No Parking” signs all along this portion of the road. So you can’t exactly stop for a quick scramble up the slope for a photo-op.

But the viewing does get better as you progress north of the overpass.

The road begins to gradually slope upward, until you are once again level with the planes, near the northern perimeter (where we began our planespotting journey.) The best area for viewing is the western side of Kolb Rd. , between E. Irvington Road and Escalante Road.

PRO TIP: There is no stopping on Kolb Rd, so be sure to have someone else take photos (or have someone else drive and take photos yourself).

Viewing is best while driving north : even though they will be on the opposite side of the planes, you will be driving toward them, instead of away from them.

Here are 2 quick videos I took (while my husband was driving!) heading north on Kolb Road:

And this one is in Slo-Mo, so you can see a bit more:

Also, this is the only place you’ll be to see the front of any of the aircraft. From all other viewpoints you’ll be looking at the back or sides of the planes.

From this viewpoint you can see how the aircraft windshields have been prepped for their long stay in the desert. And how the propellers have been stabilized. They kind of look blindfolded . . . or like they’re wearing masks. 😷

NOTE: Remember, there is nowhere to stop along Kolb Rd. to take photos. And it’s a fairly busy road with a speed limit of 40mph, so no slowing down for a quick “snap.” Be sure to have a “designated photographer” in the car with you (or let someone else do the driving!)

The Stealth Fighter at the Aviation Graveyard Arizona???

Maybe not, but then again, maybe . . . ???

I couldn’t finish this post without sharing a cute anecdote from our experience back in the days when tours were still offered.

As the tour bus drove through the rows of aircraft the driver stopped outside one special spot.

A lone ladder waiting for a pilot to climb into the cockpit angled ten feet into the air, hovering over a set of landing gear and . . . nothing else. A sign in front of it says that this is an F-117 Stealth Fighter.

It made the grizzled tour guide’s day when a few young kids exclamed, “Wow! You really can’t see it!”

Just a little Air Force humor there . . . 😉

It’s disappointing that tours of the Tucson airplane graveyard are no longer offered. However with a little careful planning (and a designated driver while you photograph), you can still see much of this incredible sight.

Even if it has to be through the fence.

Viewing the Arizona Plane Graveyard from the Air

This is one you’ll have to do through the magic of YouTube 😊. Below are two of the best videos I’ve found from years gone by:

Like Aircraft? More in the Tucson Area:

Afterwards, the Pima Air & Space Museum offers a fine collection of more than 350 aircraft including a B-24 Liberator, Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the unique Aero Spacelines 377-SG “Super Guppy” cargo plane that is cobbled together from parts of a retired U.S. Air Force C-97 Stratofreighter and a former Pan American Boeing 377 Stratocruiser.

Fast facts about the Tucson Airplane Graveyard, aka “The Boneyard”

Can anyone visit the tucson boneyard.

NO. Tours were stopped in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Pima Air & Space Museum (who organized the tours) “t he bus tours to Davis-Monthan AFB of the  309 th  AMARG  (AKA “The Boneyard”) have permanently ended. This tour is no longer offered and will not be coming back due to changes in U.S. Air Force security considerations.” 

How many planes are in the Tucson Boneyard?

According to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base , “AMARG is responsible for the storage of nearly 3,200 aircraft and more than 6,300 engines from the five Department of Defense services.”

Where is the best place to see the Boneyard in Tucson?

There are multiple viewing spots along the northern perimeter of the Boneyard, on Escalante and East Irvington Road, where you can park and take photos. These areas have places to park. Other roads nearby offer views, but you cannot stop, so views are “fleeting.”

For another Cold War relic head nearby to the Titan Missile Museum , home of the last of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert from 1963 through 1987.

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NOTICE: t he bus tours to Davis-Monthan AFB of the 309 th AMARG (AKA “The Boneyard”) have permanently ende d. This tour is no longer offered and will not be coming back due to changes in U.S. Air Force security considerations. 

Public Tram Tours

Price: $ 8 per person with admission to the museum.

Duration: 45 minutes non-stop

Tickets: Tickets for the public trams are sold at admissions only.

Tour Times: Times change daily, please check with admission upon arrival to the Museum. 

The Tram Tours are currently offered daily. All Tram Tours and tour times are subject to selling out, change or cancellation due to weather/mechanical/personnel/late arrivals, or other conditions beyond PASM control .

The Tram Tour is a 45 minute narrated tour of the planes located in the outdoor display area of Pima Air and Space Museum. This tour will take passengers through the museum’s 80 acres on a 1.5 mile circuit. Passengers will view more than 150 planes in our collection and hear highlights of our more significant aircraft. 

Additional Information:

• Children 2 and under are considered a lap child and do not require a tram ticket (limit one per paying adult). 
• This tour requires physically stepping up (2 to 4 steps) onto the tram. 
• Wheelchair Accessible trams available upon request at time of purchase.
• Tram Tickets can not be purchased or booked in advanced. 
• There is a limited number of tram seats sold per day. All tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis. 
• While leashed pets are welcome at the museum, we do not allow them on the tram tour, with the exception of service animals. 
• Please note: This tour is located on the grounds of Pima Air and Space Museum and will not include the AMARG (AKA the Boneyard) located on Davis Monthan Airforce Base. We can not accommodate any request for private tours of the AMARG facility.

Private trams are available for groups booking within two weeks of their visit date. Please visit our group booking page under plan your visit to book this tour. 

Private Tram Tours 

Price: $ 350 per group plus admission to the museum per person.

Reservations: must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance using our online booking system. 

Capacity : a max of 35 participants per tram

• If your group has more then 35 participants and are arriving on a bus, we can accommodate the tram tour using your bus. Please email [email protected] for more information about bus tour options. 

9:45 am 2:30pm (October – May)

• Private tram tours are not available on Mondays.
• The museum can only accommodate one Tram Tour per time slot. If your group exceeds the number of seats available on a tour, you will need to book the second time slot for the day. Requests to run back-to-back tours or tours outside of the pre-selected time slots cannot be accommodated.

AUDIO TOURS

Price: $5 per device plus general admission

Times: 7 days per week, based on device availability

Guests can check out an audio tour device and explore the museum at their leisure. Throughout the museum, there are signs that indicate artifacts and exhibits that are part of the Audio Tour. Guests point their device at the signs, and audio will begin playing. Narrated by museum staff, the audio guides provide an in-depth description and history of some of our significant aircraft and exhibits. Narrations include the B-24 Liberator, the Hind helicopter, an Air Force One, the Super Guppy, and so much more!

For a seamless listening experience, we recommend one device for every two people in your group (though more people can listen at a time).

While not required to hear the audio tour, the devices are compatible with headphones/earbuds that have a jack (not compatible with wireless devices), and the museum has earbuds for purchase for $1. You may also provide your own.

Devices are available to check out at the counter in admissions. They are available on a first come, first served basis, and cannot be reserved ahead of time.

Private Walking Tours 

These are guided walking tours that last 45 minutes. We offer four different themes: Aviation Highlights, WWII, Cold War, and Walk of Fame. Your group will pick the theme for your tour. Descriptions of the themes are listed below. After the tour, guests will be able to explore the rest of the museum at their leisure.

Price: $75 per group plus admission 

Times: 9:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm – Reservations Required 

Aviation Highlights Tour   (Hangar 1) Your group will be guided through our largest hangar which contains some of the museum’s most popular aircraft! On this tour, you will see aircraft like the SR-71, the F-4 Phantom II, and the world’s smallest biplane, the Bumblebee. This tour will meet in Hangar 1 in front of the Wright Flyer.

World War II Tour   (Hangars 3,4 &5) Your Group will be guided through our 3 WWII hangars. You will learn about planes like the B-29, Catalina, and P-51. This tour will meet in Hangar 5 located on the south side of the museum.

Cold War Tour   (Hangar 1) Your group will be guided through the main hangar and discuss aircraft and artifacts from the Cold War Era. Topics include military demonstration aircraft, the Huey, nuclear weapons, submarine hunting aircraft, and of course, the SR-71 Blackbird. This tour will meet in Hangar 1 in front of the Blue Angels F-11 Tiger.

Walk of Fame   (Hangar 1, Outside, and Aerospace Gallery) Your group will be guided through various hangars and outside to view iconic and record-breaking aircraft, pop culture aircraft, and aircraft types used by celebrities like John Denver, Jim Croce, Harrison Ford, and Led Zeppelin. Aircraft discussed include the Rutan Long EZ, the Westland Lynx, the F-14 Tomcat, and the A-4 Skyhawk. This tour will meet in Hangar 1 in front of the Wright Flyer.

Important information: 

• All guest participating on this tour must purchase admission to the museum. 
• Tours reservations must be made a minimum of 5 days in advanced
• Tours offered 7 days a week.
• Maximum Participants per tour is 35. Groups large then 35 participants will need to book multiple tours to accommodate their group size.  

Please note: This tour is located on the grounds of Pima Air and Space Museum and will not include the AMARG (AKA the Boneyard) located on Davis Monthan Airforce Base. We can not accommodate any request for private tours of the AMARG facility. 

 Please visit our group booking page to book this tour or for more information please email [email protected] . 

Custom Private Tour

In this custom tour, you will be able to choose 4 topics that your guide will cover during your tour. Depending on the topics you choose, the tour may be a walking tour, tram tour, or a mix of both, as some of the aircraft available for this tour are located outside. Before and after the tour, guests will be able to explore the rest of the museum at their leisure.

Price: $150 per group plus admission.

Times: 10:30am or 1:00pm- Reservations Required

• Tours are available Tuesday-Sunday. We are unable to accommodate custom tour requests on Mondays. 
• Duration: 45 minutes-1 hour
• Limit 15 people per group.
• You must book at least two weeks in advance.

Available Topics Below is a list of available topics and the aircraft included in that topic. An asterisk indicates aircraft that are found outside. You can choose 4 topics for your custom tour. 

• Aircraft Icons : Wright Flyer, F-14 Tomcat, UH-1 Huey, SR-71 Blackbird
• WWII Europe : Hawker Hurricane, B-24 Liberator, IL-2 Shturmovik, V1 Buzz Bomb
• WWII Pacific 1 : F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang, B-29 Superfortress, Ohka (kamikaze display)
• WWII Pacific 2 : PBY Catalina, B-25 Mitchell, P-40 Warhawk (Pearl Harbor), Ki-43 Hayabusa
• Korean War – HTL-2 Sioux, F7F Tigercat, MiG 15, F-86 Sabre
• NASA Space Program : Mercury Capsule, Apollo Command Module, Space Shuttle Trainer, X-15 Rocket Plane
• Air Force Fighters *: F-102/106 Delta Dart/Dagger, F4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-105 Thunderchief
• Navy/Marine Aircraft *: F/A-18 Hornet, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6/EA-6 Intruder/Prowler, F9F Panther
• Bombers *: B-36 Peacemaker, B-52 Stratofortress, B-58 Hustler
• Foreign Aircraft *: SEPECAT Jaguar, English Electric Lightning, Dassault Mirage, MiGs
• Helicopters *: Mi-24 Hind, CH-54 Tarhe (Skycrane), MH-53/CH-37 Pave Low/Mojave, AH-1 Supercobra
• Boeing Airliners *: 737, 747, 777, 787
• NASA Aircraft *- Super Guppy, 747 (SOFIA), KC-135, B-52A
• Presidential/VIP Transports *: VC-118 Liftmaster, VC-137 Stratoliner, VH-34 Choctaw, VC-121 Constellation

Important Information

• ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE CUSTOM TOUR ARE REQUIRED TO PAY GENERAL ADMISSION TO ENTER THE MUSEUM. GROUPS OF LESS THAN 20 WILL NEED TO PAY GENERAL ADMISSION AT THE GATE UPON ARRIVAL.
• We do have a wheelchair accessible tram and can accommodate one guest with a wheelchair per tour if a tram is required. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility for your group, please email [email protected] and we can work with you to design a custom tour that all members of your party will enjoy!
• We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes early to ensure you have enough time to make your way through the line at admissions and meet your tour guide.
• Please understand that while this is a private tour for your group, the hangars are open to the general public, and they will be present in the hangars during your group’s tour. Your tour guide will prevent the general public from joining your group and keep your tour private to the best of their ability.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

A tour of the boneyard.

The aircraft retirement home in Arizona is well worth a visit.

John Sotham

My son Ian and I had already spent two days at the Pima Air & Space Museum outside Tucson, Arizona, walking the hangars and the terrific collection of aircraft parked outside. Pima is adjacent to the fence line of Davis-Monthan AFB, home of the “Boneyard.” Its official name is the Air Force’s 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group—the caretakers of nearly 4,000 U.S. military aircraft headed for scrap, storage, or potential rebirth, all parked on 2,600 acres of Arizona desert.  

Boneyard tours are exclusively handled by the Pima museum. You can get tickets online or in person at the gift shop.

Buses to Davis-Monthan depart just outside the Pima main entrance. We queued up—after a check for identification and a cursory bag check—and got onboard to enter the base’s gate. I presented my military ID, and our tour guide, Bob Ratledge, waved us aboard the bus with a few questions (where was I stationed?) and a thanks for my service.  

We rolled toward the DM gate. Over the bus’s intercom, Ratledge began his tour and welcomed our international guests (I was amazed at how many were visiting this dusty corner of the U.S.), who came from Italy, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. After we were inside the base, he gave us a plane-by-plane guide to “Celebrity Row,” a lineup of iconic aircraft retired here.

One of only two YC-14s entered our view—the Boeing counter to the requirement that resulted in the McDonnell-Douglas (ironically, now Boeing) C-17 Globemaster III that flew me to and from Afghanistan. A brooding F-4 came into view (Phantoms always look grumpy to me), the airplane I used to tend to as a young Senior Airman crew chief. There are still a good number of these iconic fighters here, still being converted into target drones, along with more modern, but still outmoded, early-model F-16s.

I grew tired of craning my neck to one side (if you’re into fighters, grab a seat on the left side of the bus). My other heartbreak as a former “Warthog” crew chief: Endless rows of deadly tank-busting A-10 Thunderbolt IIs.

Hundreds of C-5s are stored here. For scale, a diminutive T-37 “Tweet” is parked next to the Celebrity Row Galaxy. After the bus passed acres of C-5s, followed by KC-135s, C-130s, HH-60s, and S-3-Vikings, the massive YAL-1 Airborne Laser—a Boeing 747-400 airframe fitted with a high-powered laser capable of downing an incoming missile—came into view. The YAL-1 sits forlorn, engineless and headed for scrap.

Soon it was time to turn around and head back to Pima, and Ratledge passed the return trip with an intercom quiz about aircraft and World War II history. (Ian shot his hand up to answer after nearly every question.)

If you’re near Tucson, don’t miss Pima or the Boneyard tour. Next stop on our tour: the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where we’ve got space-available military lodging reservations.

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John Sotham | READ MORE

A former associate editor of Air & Space , John Sotham is a hopelessly nearsighted frequent flyer, with thousands of hours logged in exit rows worldwide. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve colonel and a former crew chief on the F-4D Phantom II and A-10A “Warthog.” He started collecting aviation books when he was eight years old. Any opinions expressed are solely the author’s.

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The Boneyard Tucson Helicopter Tour

Embark on an unparalleled aerial journey with The Boneyard Tucson Helicopter Tour, offering a rare and exclusive perspective of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), renowned as the world's most extensive aircraft boneyard. This unique tour is your gateway to an extraordinary site where history, technology, and aviation converge in the Arizona desert.

As we lift off and head towards the AMARG, prepare to be mesmerized by the sight that unfolds below. Spread across the sprawling desert landscape lies an impressive collection of over 4,000 aircraft, each with its own story, representing various eras of aviation history. From venerable warbirds and workhorse cargo planes to sophisticated fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft, the diversity and scale of the boneyard are unparalleled.

The Boneyard Tucson Helicopter Tour provides a vantage point that few have the opportunity to experience. From the comfort of our helicopter, you'll gain an unobstructed view of the meticulously arranged rows of aircraft, each positioned with precision and care. The sheer size of the boneyard and the variety of aircraft preserved here make it a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

This helicopter tour is more than just a sightseeing flight; it's an immersive exploration of a site that plays a crucial role in supporting the ongoing operations and readiness of the United States Air Force and other military branches. The AMARG is not only a storage facility but also a center for reclamation and regeneration, where aircraft are maintained, parts are reclaimed, and some planes are even restored to flying condition.

Join us on The Boneyard Tucson Helicopter Tour for an unforgettable adventure that offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of aerospace maintenance and regeneration. Witness the beauty and complexity of these dormant giants of the sky, set against the backdrop of the Arizona desert, and gain a deeper appreciation for the history and ingenuity that define aviation. This tour promises to be an enlightening and awe-inspiring experience that brings the legacy of military and civilian aircraft to life from a perspective that only the skies can provide.

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Interactive Aerial Tour: Davis-Monthan Aircraft Boneyard in Tucson

The  309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group  (309th AMARG), [2]  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 . 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 309th AMARG takes care of nearly 4,000 aircraft, which makes it the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world. An  Air Force Materiel Command  unit, the group is under the command of the  Ogden Air Logistics Complex  at  Hill Air Force Base , Utah. The 309th AMARG was originally meant to store  excess   Department of Defense  and  Coast Guard  aircraft, but has in recent years been designated the sole repository of out-of-service aircraft from all branches of the US government. The facility has received US made foreign military aircraft:  Boeing CC-137  (from  RCAF  for use in Joint Stars E-8 program),  Lockheed CP-140 (from RCAF). The arid climate of the region makes the 309th AMARG an ideal location for storing aircraft, as there is very little humidity in the air that would corrode metal. Further, the surface is hard so that the aircraft do not sink into the ground.

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Welcome to the Boneyard, a desert tomb for US military aircraft

Under the hot Arizona sun lie hundreds of aircraft... waiting. Waiting for destruction or reprieve. This is AMARG. This is The Boneyard.

The Boneyard. The name evokes a space bereft of life: dry, hot, desolate.

And that's about right. The Boneyard's official name is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, or AMARG . It's where the US military stores its surplus aircraft. Sometimes these airplanes get refreshed and reused. Other times they get parted out to keep the active fleet flying.

It's a fascinating, albeit creepy, place. Rows upon rows of identical aircraft. All silent, all shrouded in protective covers to keep them from disintegrating in the brutal Arizona sun. You may have seen pictures of this place from above , and you've almost certainly seen it in movies. Here's how it looks on the ground.

Arizona's incredible Boneyard is purgatory for aircraft

There's only one way into the Boneyard if you're a civilian: as part of a guided tour that starts from the Pima Air & Space Museum . You'll need a government-issued ID (driver's license or passport). No backpacks or large camera cases are allowed. AMARG is an active military base, part of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. There's a security check as you enter the base, and you can't get off the bus once you enter.

That's OK though, as you get to see quite a lot. It's so massive, walking would be pointless. Each tour includes a guide, telling you what each airplane is, plus a bit of history about them.

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What's striking is just how many aircraft there are in the 2,600 acre (11 square kilometer) facility: over 4,400. And it's an eclectic mix, often with many fairly recent aircraft. To take up space at the Boneyard, an aircraft has to be fairly new -- or at least new enough that active models are still flying (or only recently decommissioned). But they also need to be old enough to be "out of warranty," so to speak. So you'll see F-15s and 16s, C-5s, A-10s, B-1s, and countless C-130s, but no F-22s or F-35s (not in sight, anyway).

The Pentagon claims that for every $1 it spends on storing aircraft at AMARG, it saves "nearly $11" by being able to reuse parts and even entire aircraft. Some planes, past their usefulness for the Air Force, are sold to US allies, further offsetting the cost of the facility.

Even though the Boneyard is in an ideal location (dry, fairly high altitude, alkaline soil), a lot of work still needs to be done to get a plane into shape for long-term storage. The engines and weapons get removed. All liquids drained. Any classified or important hardware gets stripped out. Then the aircraft is washed, dried and sealed from the dust and heat. That's the white coating you see on the cockpit windows and other important bits.

Once towed into position, the airplane sits. How long is unknown. Sometimes it's a slow end, pieces getting removed one by one. Some of the aircraft in the military fleet, like the B-52 and A-10, are decades old and still in use, though no longer manufactured. To keep these airframes flying, parts are donated from decommissioned aircraft. Rarely, the planes are brought back into service.

But more often, they sit until they're beyond their usefulness and eventually scrapped.

As the bus drives through the facility, you'll see aircraft in all stages of this. Some look brand new, ready to fly except for their white-out coatings. Others are missing big and small chunks. An engine here, a tail assembly there. Wings or even entire sections of the fuselage could be gone. There's something haunting about it all.

And that's probably why it's been used in movies and TV shows for decades. Wikipedia notes  "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man," even Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly" music video.

The nearby Pima Air & Space museum is one of the best in the world. Add in the unique experience of the Boneyard, and you've got one of the most incredible days you can spend as an airplane fanatic.

Tours of the Boneyard leave from Pima usually twice a day, Monday through Friday (but not government holidays). It's only $7, separate from the Pima museum entrance fee, and are sold first-come, first-served. Definitely worth doing both.

As well as covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines , aircraft carriers , medieval castles , epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.

Also check out Budget Travel for Dummies , his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube . 

Visiting the Enormous Aircraft Boneyard and Pima Air and Space Museum

By: Author Corinne Vail

Posted on Published: 9 March 17  - Last updated: 17 August 22

Home » DIY Travel » Visiting the Enormous Aircraft Boneyard and Pima Air and Space Museum

Do you love airplanes? One of Arizona’s most mysterious and fantastic sights is the aircraft boneyard of the Pima Air and Space Museum. It’s huge; it’s fun; and you are going to love it.

I love airplanes! For a brief period, until my money ran out, I took flying lessons when I was 15 years old. I loved being in control, soaring through the air (C’mon I know you are surprised!) I loved the feeling that I could go anywhere. In fact, I clocked up a few hours on a small Piper Cub prop plane, but never soloed, maybe someday. To be honest, I was afraid of the landing part. Such a chicken!

However, I do have a love for all kinds of aircraft, and I love an air show, a transportation museum, all of it. So, on our Tucson itinerary, I was really excited to visit the Puma Air and Space Museum so I could check the rows and rows of retired military planes at the aircraft boneyard off of my bucket list.

Maybe because of my love of planes, I also have a long history with the United States Air Force. My dad was enlisted while I was growing up and we moved from base to base, always hearing the sounds of the jet engines overhead. Just like many folks, we used to head out to the airfield and watch them take off, scream by in high speed turns, or just practicing their touch and goes. I loved the Air Force life and enlisted myself not long after high school to become an aircraft electrician where I worked on helicopters, cargo planes, and jet fighters. That was fun!

A Visit to the Airplane Boneyard

So, last summer we were finally going to Tucson, Arizona. 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.” As you drive through this part of Tucson, you can occasionally glimpse the tails of aircraft poking up above the earthen berm that lines the road. There are some places where you can actually see a part of the boneyard, rows upon rows, of plastic encapsulated planes. The boneyard seems to be a massive collection, hidden in plain view.

What most people don’t know, is that you can visit the boneyard, even if you are just a regular civilian. In order to access the Boneyard, unless you have been granted access through military channels, you must go to the Pima Air & Space Museum, located on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and sign up for the tour. Then you can climb on the bus with 25 or so fellow enthusiasts and go for a cruise around the boneyard. Unfortunately, as it’s an active military area, you are not even allowed to get off the bus at all, but even still it’s an impressive sight.

The Aircraft Boneyard has approximately 5,000 planes and helicopters in its inventory which changes daily; it’s impossible not to be awestruck by the sheer size and numbers of the aircraft. As we were riding by the huge fields full of just about every kind of winged vehicle imaginable, I recognized some of my favorites like the huge C-5s as well as smaller jet fighters like the F-15s, all lined up wing to wing. I was wonderstruck, and a part of me, hearkening back to those flight line days, wanted to jump off the bus and go really explore.

The Pima Air & Space Museum

The tour over, the bus took us back to the main part of the museum which was impressive in its own right. Even though the main reason I was there was for the boneyard, I couldn’t help but love the five hangars full of historical and experimental aircraft, with two full hangars dedicated to World War II.

The exhibits were full of information; many were interactive, and you could even climb in some of the static displays. The outdoor area was just like walking among the aircraft as if they were still in commission. You could get up close, even touch them, and feel dwarfed by their immense sizes.

Pima Air and Space Museum – Practical Information

• Take exit 267, Valencia Rd, off I-10 and follow the brown signs to Pima Air and Space Museum.
• Sign up for the boneyard tour immediately after arrival, as seats are first come first served.
• Plan on 4 to 5 hours for your visit. This includes time to explore the hangars and grounds of the museum and the 1.5 hour long boneyard tour.
• Be mindful of the weather. In winter dress in layers including a light jacket. In summer, dress for the heat, wear a hat, and sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes, you will be doing lots of walking.
• Plan your museum visit carefully, alternating between indoors and outdoors exhibits.
• The Flight Grill, located in the museum, is an excellent option for lunch or an early afternoon dinner.
• The Pima Air & Space Museum website has all the information you need.

It was easy to spend quite a few hours there, so we took advantage of the museum café and had some great burgers. We also couldn’t stop ourselves from buying a few souvenirs at the shop. If you plan to be in Tucson, not only do we highly recommend the Pima Space & Air Museum, but while you are there sign up for the bus tour of the Boneyard. You’ll love it.

Have you been to the Aircraft Boneyard or the Pima Air & Space Museum?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Save the Aircraft Boneyard for later!

Brett Stratton

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

I remember my cousin telling me that he was taking several F15s to the boneyard. They had most of the electronics removed of course, but it always bothered me that such a beautiful bird was going to the boneyard to die. (Probably) Can you imagine all of our countries hero's who built, serviced flew these planes? My hats and hearts to them all. Thank you. Visiting the boneyard is #1 on my bucket list.

Thursday 20th of June 2019

I spent hundreds of hours prepping B52s for the boneyard, seeing those same tail numbers there on our visit was very powerful. Thanks for visiting our site!

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

What a cool find! It would such a treat to see all the experimental aircraft the the rows and rows of aircraft outside, even if you can't get off the bus. I'm adding this to my to do list!

reflectiveponderer

Friday 17th of March 2017

How interesting! I have not visited this base but was intrigued when visiting the Airforce Museum in Linköping, Sweden. Love delving into history and facts!

Corinne Vail

Me too! Me too!

Monday 13th of March 2017

As a certified plane nut, this is my padded cell right here! I'll aim to be admitted next time I'm in Arizona - though that could be a while, given the fact that the SA government is now being run by a circus.

I've visited Seattle's Museum of Flight and of course the Smithsonian's amazing establishments, and the thought of five hangars full of historic old planes is exciting.

RAF Duxford near Cambridge is another place that has an awesome collection, including a hangar full of American aircraft that, like Pima, may be touched and photographed intimately.

Pete, Don't waste another minute...you have to go!

christine leger

the military service also goes back generations in my family, and my hubby's, so it's safe to say, I love this. Also, I've seen plenty of aerial photos of this place but never on the ground. Very cool.

Christine, I hope you get there one day. It is cool!

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Tours offer walk through aircraft, history at Tucson 'boneyard'

Kathleen allen.

• Apr 20, 2017
• Apr 20, 2017 Updated May 8, 2017

Tour guide Ramon Purcell, left, leads a tour inside the bomb bay of a P-3 Orion during the Boneyard Safari tour. On the tour are, from right, Clayton Saffell, Jennifer Canfield and John Ligon.

Jennifer Canfield admires the aging fuselage of a Fairchild C-123 during the Boneyard Safari tour. The planes were initially used as assault gliders during World War II. “At the end of the war, they put engines on it and used it as a transporter,” says tour guide Ramon Purcell.

• Photos by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Jennifer Canfield takes a photograph of the KC-97’s propeller. The KC-97s were used for midair refueling.

The KC-97 was modeled on the famous B-29 bomber. An impressive tangle of wires decorates the fuselage behind the cockpit in this plane.

Purcell stops a morning tour group in front of a C-131, a cargo and passenger plane that was used extensively throughout the Cold War. President Harry S. Truman flew on a C-131 after leaving office.

• Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

The C-27A was used by the Air Force as a transport plane. It could carry as much as 18,000 pounds of fuel and cargo and had the advantage of being able to land and take off on short runways. It’s just one stop on the Boneyard Safari tour at Aircraft Restoration and Marketing, 5080 E. Nebraska St. ,

Clayton Saffell takes a photograph of a the “Screamin’ Eagle” during the Boneyard Safari tour at Aircraft Restoration and Marketing, 5080 E. Nebraska, on Feb. 4, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

The R4D started out as the famous DC-3 and was redesignated by the Navy. This “Screamin’ Eagle” sports custom artwork — a skeletonized eagle is on this side, and an eagle in full feather is on the other. The plane will find a new life as a playhouse for some children in Utah.

Aircraft noses, from left, include the Vickers Viscount, Boeing 727 and C-130 during the Boneyard Safari tour at Aircraft Restoration and Marketing, 5080 E. Nebraska, on Feb. 4, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Aircraft history is scattered all over a big dirt lot in southeast Tucson.

And once a month, you can explore it.

Boneyard Safari, founded by Ramon C. Purcell, offers tours around and through some of the planes at Aircraft Restoration and Marketing (ARM). You can walk through the belly of a bomber, get a close up look at the cockpit of a C-47, study the bomb-loading guidelines in a P-3 Orion and step into the fuselage of a Vickers Viscount turboprop.

It isn’t a pretty display. These are aircraft that no longer carry troops, fuel airborne planes or drop bombs. They are not airworthy. Wires dangle from chairless cockpits, cone-shaped noses that once shined at the tip of planes are lined up along a chain-link fence. Disembodied tires and wings are scattered about.

But this is an aircraft lovers paradise.

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The planes in this boneyard (separate from the one at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base) have come to ARM to be restored, stored, or to find replacement parts.

Some belong to museums or were acquired by companies through government auctions. ARM houses the planes while they are refurbished or sold off, sometimes piece by piece.

Hollywood often comes calling, looking for a plane that can be hauled away and blown up. Recently, a Kuwait company was refurbishing a C-130 and was in need of a cockpit. One was pulled out of a plane at ARM and shipped off.

About 80 percent of the aircraft are ex-military, said Purcell, who fell in love with planes when he was a boy and the family home was right near the San Diego airport. “I could see the planes take off and land every day,” he said.

One of the missions of Boneyard Safari is to reconnect military veterans with the type of aircraft they flew in battle.

A few weeks ago, Purcell had a vet call about a plane he had flown in Vietnam. He wanted to know if it was still at the Davis-Monthan boneyard. He longed to touch it once more. It was, but Purcell explained that the tours through the base’s boneyard are only by bus; no touching allowed. But there was the same type of aircraft at ARM. Purcell invited him out to see — and touch — it. “He had such a heartfelt connection with this aircraft,” said Purcell. “As soon as he saw it, he cried.”

A few years back, a group of vets took a reunion trek to the ARM boneyard. “They saw their aircraft (type) and there were tears and stories,” said Purcell. “It was so gratifying to be a passageway to their past.”

Here are some of the planes that Purcell led us through and around in a February trek through the boneyard.

R4D — Screaming Eagle

This one is hard to miss — it has a painting of an eagle on one side in full feathers, and the skeleton of the bird on the other. This type of aircraft started as a Douglas DC-3 and was redesignated as R4D by the Navy. It was a transport plane, carrying VIPs around. This type of aircraft, said Purcell, was one of the first transporters to land on the ice in the South Pole. This plane won’t be at the boneyard much longer — it has been purchased by a Utah family and will be converted into a playhouse for the children. It is expected to be disassembled and shipped next month.

The aircraft was an “anti-submarine hunter, built during the Cold War to hunt down Russian submarines,” said Purcell. This particular plane was a trainer for the pilots who would do the submarine hunting. It’s one of the planes you can explore inside. Bomb-loading instructions are glued to the wall.

This type of aircraft was used by the Air Force as a transport plane. It could carry as much as 18,000 pounds of fuel and cargo. One of it’s greatest advantages, said Purcell, is that it can land and take off on short runways. The aircraft was at the center of a government waste scandal. In 2010, the U.S. sent 16 C-27s to the Afghan Security Forces as part of a $486 million program to provide the security forces with refurbished aircraft to carry personnel and to medically evacuate combat troops. A few years later, a U.S. special inspector general noticed the planes, clearly not in use, lined up at the Kabul International Airport. They could never be flown because of Afghanistan’s hot and dusty environment. Eventually, the planes were destroyed.

Used by both the Army and the Navy, this type of aircraft was primarily for cargo and VIP transport, said Purcell. It was used extensively throughout the Cold War and is the type of plane that flew President Harry S. Truman around after he left the White House, Purcell added.

You can wander through the fuselage of this plane. The tangle of wires is quite impressive. This type of aircraft was an aerial refueler. It employed the “flying boom” technique — the fuel is delivered through a remote-controlled telescoping tube inserted into the plane it is refueling. It was originally built around the design of the B-29, the aircraft that dropped the A-bombs on Japan, said Purcell.

Fairchild C-123

This type of aircraft was originally designed as an assault glider during World War II. “At the end of the war, they put engines on it and used it as a transporter,” said Purcell. The C-123s also were the type of plane used to spray Agent Orange in Vietnam. All planes that dropped Agent Orange were scrapped because of contamination. The C-123 made appearances in such ’90s movies as “Con Air,” “Operation Dumbo Drop” and “Air America.”

Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at [email protected] or 573-4128. On Twitter: @kallenStar

The next Boneyard Safari tour through the aircraft at Aircraft Restoration & Marketing, 5080 E. Nebraska St., is May 6. It will start about 7 a.m. and take 2½ to 3  hours. The tour is $25. More information at boneyardsafari.com or 314-7478.

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Attraction:

Aircraft Boneyard Tour (Closed)

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. It's open for public tours, and inspires all manner of fever-dream conjecturing. Do squatters live in the airplanes? Can the desert heat make aircraft explode? Could Zeppelins, biplanes, or flying saucers be half-buried and forgotten in a back corner? Can a visitor simply hop into a jet, turn a key, and fire it up?

The answer to all of these questions is No.

The Boneyard is on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and is run by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) -- which doesn't like the name "Boneyard" (The preferred name is "Air Power Reservoir"). Although the popular image is of an Elephant Graveyard of airplanes, with rusty propellers creaking in the wind, the Boneyard is actually a busy place. Crews are constantly at work either sealing new arrivals against the elements, disassembling other planes for parts, or trucking gutted aircraft to an on-site smelter. Any old, historic aircraft have long-ago been hauled to the Pima Air & Space Museum across the street.

According to museum executive director Scott Marchand, the last time that civilians were able to freely wander the Boneyard was the early 1970s. Today, the public can only view the Boneyard through the windows of a tour bus that leaves the museum twice a day, Monday through Friday. The tour lasts 90 minutes, narrated by a museum guide. The bus does not stop and its passengers do not get out until they return to the museum. Tour-goers need to make their reservations at least ten business days in advance, and must bring along all of their supporting IDs and documents, or they don't get on the bus.

All of this, Scott said, dampens the appeal of the Boneyard for the average visitor. But for "real hardcore airplane nerds" the Boneyard remains a bucket-list destination, a chance to view mile after mile of ghost planes, cocooned as if by some aircraft-eating spider, while a tour guide calls out the names and service histories of the various jet fighters, tankers, cargo planes, helicopters, and bombers.

For such tourists -- and Scott counts himself one of them -- the Boneyard is, "one of the most amazing aerospace spectacles in the world." For everyone else, the museum -- which has 80 outdoor acres of old aircraft that visitors can actually touch -- is probably more satisfying.

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Tucson Arizona

Davis-monthan air force boneyard.

Residing within the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona is the largest military aircraft boneyard in the world. Located five miles southeast of downtown Tucson, the boneyard fills 2,600-acre of the 3,300- acre expanse of the field, and as of 2019 officially holds over 3,280 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Users interested in the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, not the boneyard, should click  here . 

The boneyard is located north of Valencia Road and south of Escalante Road, in between Wilmot Road and Kolb Road. This is near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which is located at 2720 S. Craycroft Rd.

The airfield was established in 1919, and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base was established six years later. However, the aircraft started being transported to the boneyard, whose official title is 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), as far back as 1946. The facility has housed and serviced almost every single famous American aircraft ranging from the B-29 “Enola Gay” to the SR-71 Blackbird as the largest historic boneyard in the world, as well as remaining as the last operational American Boneyard

WHY TUCSON?

Tucson’s weather plays a large role in the preservation of the aircraft. Tucson offers low humidity levels of the 10%-20% range, a relatively high altitude of 2,550 feet above sea level, and an average of only 11 inches of rainfall annually. The environment serves as an ideal setting for the dry storage for the preservation and maintenance of military equipment with little chance of airframes rusting and not in danger of suffering from sandstorms local to Arizona’s capital, Phoenix. Because of the minuscule risk of any natural disasters in the city, the aircraft in the boneyard are well preserved and could potentially be reused in the future for foreign sales, demilitarization, or rearmament in case of renewed conflict.

Another important contributing factor in the decision to move aircraft into Tucson is the city’s hard alkaline soil, which contains sodium, calcium, and magnesium. The hard soil creates reduced risk of the resident aircraft that in many cases can be dozens of tons sinking into the ground during the monsoon season. Tucson also offers a high altitude of around 2,550 feet reducing humidity and features a relatively flat terrain reducing the danger of runoff. The surrounding mountains further contribute due to the limiting of heavy winds that often plague desert environments.

Additionally, because Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert, it’s easy to transport aircraft back and forth without needing to pave any areas due to the hardiness of the terrain. This limits the logistical constraints on the 309 th AMARG “Boneyard” and permits further expansion as necessary and has in the past allowed the 309 th to house more than 6000 aircraft in 1973, during the winddown of the Vietnam War.

RECEIVING NEW AIRCRAFT

When aircraft are received at the boneyard, they are gifted with the aircraft's documented history. These documents tell of the aircraft’s achievements, contributions, combat logs, and crew logs. More importantly however for the purposes of the 309 th , these documents carry specific information which includes the kinds of maintenance it once underwent since its active service in the military.

 The vast majority of the aircraft that come into the Boneyard come in and land under their own power. Specifically, it is estimated that 95% of military aircraft that are meant to be transferred into the inventory of the 309 th come in under their own often loaded with fuel, explosives, chemical agents, and potentially ammunition and ordinance carried during their tenure as active combat aircraft. In turn, this creates several issues that are cause for concern if not for the specialized equipment and personnel that are part of the 309 th ’s inventory.

 Prior to being stationed in the boneyard, guns, ejection seats, clocks, data plates, and classified hardware are all removed and processed. The aircraft is then washed, which is especially important when dealing with aircraft that have been in tropical locations. If they aren’t washed, they could be subject to corrosive effects in Tucson’s hot climate. In this process, the fuel system is also drained and refilled with lightweight oil, only to be drained once more. Following this, the aircraft is sealed from exposure to any dust, sunlight, or scorching summer temperatures. This can be done with chemicals and sealants such as Spraylat, but simple garbage bags are also utilized as protective measures during short-term processing. From here, the aircraft is ready to be towed and pulled to its designated location in the boneyard.

 However, not all aircraft are able to be reused again. Much of the aircraft is maintained in case it is called back into active service, but the boneyard also reclaims the aircraft and sells or recycles certain parts during the reclamation process. Some aircraft are also placed at Davis-Monthan on a temporary basis until they can be shipped to different staging areas across the world.

 Specifically, this is done by categorizing the Airframes into four 1000 block categories. Type 1000 refers to aircraft destined for long-term storage, where they will be maintained until they are recalled into active military service. They will be rendered “inviolate” and have a high potential to return to flying status and will remain whole and will be maintained regularly. 2000 Block Aircraft are less fortunate given their reclaimed status, where they will be kept in partial order to act as parts salvage to keep other aircraft in working order. 3000 block aircraft are placed on “flying hold” where they will be kept in near flying condition in short-term, temporary storage where they will be held for transference to another unit, prepared for foreign sale, or reclassification into one of the other three types. Finally, the 4000 block aircraft are deemed as excess to Department of Defense needs, They will be broken down and sold as scrap, ingots, and other recyclable materials. 

BONEYARD HISTORY

By May of 1946, over 600 B-29 Superfortresses and 200 C-47 Skytrains were moved to the boneyard. Some of the said aircraft were refurbished and used in the Korean War or sold into civilian service. The majority of others were completely scrapped as their service was rendered obsolete.

 By February of 1956, the first Convair B-36 Peacemaker arrived at the boneyard for scrapping. In the end, 384 Peacemakers were scrapped and dismantled, but four were remaining models were saved for preservation in air museums.

 At the time, Litchfield Park in Phoenix, Arizona also held an aircraft storage facility as the primary boneyard for the majority of Navy aircraft. By 1965, the facility merged its inventory into Davis-Monthan’s boneyard. The majority of the aircraft was all transported by truck because it was less expensive than attempting to prepare the planes to fly to Tucson after storage, just to preserve them once again.

 This was also the year when the boneyard changed its name to Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC).

 In 1964, the last B-47 aircraft left Davis-Monthan, as they needed space for the 50 F-4 Phantom II aircraft. By 1969, the last Air Force B-47 Jet Bomber was retired and scrapped at Davis-Monthan, with the exception of 30 Stratojets that were saved for preservation in air museums. Around this time, ICBM missiles were also introduced to the boneyard as Davis-Monthan became one of the first facilities to house the Titan Missiles, along with 365 B-52 Stratofortress Bombers in the ‘90s.

 By 1985, the boneyard underwent a new name, Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC), but is now called 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG).

 In 2013, the final F-4 Phantom was refurbished and performed its last flight in Tucson.

BONEYARD TODAY

Today, Davis-Monthan’s boneyard is the sole aircraft boneyard to hold excess military aircraft for possible reuse and miscellaneous refurbishments. The boneyard has been at work with the reactivation of the dormant fleet of F-4 Phantom IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, And F-18 Hornets for use within the military again as autonomous platforms and as aerial targets drones.

 Currently, the Boneyard acts as an important part of the Tucson economy as it employs 550 personnel of primarily the civilian sector and an additional 200 private contractors. More importantly, the Boneyard contributes to the tourism of the local Tucson area. Tours of the boneyard are offered to individuals through the Pima Air & Space Museum, which is located on Valencia Road. This guided motor coach tour, occurring Monday through Friday, generally lasts about an hour and a half and provides individuals with the history of the site and aircraft. However, no one is allowed off of the bus during the tour. Baggage checks and valid identification are required before getting on the bus, and security is enforced heavily due to the facility being a part of Davis-Monthan Airforce Base.

 For those who want a closer peek at the aircraft, it’s recommended to visit the Pima Air & Space Museum separately, which houses over 300 planes within 80 acres, and allows you to go within inches of the aircraft where visitors can take pictures with icons of aromatic and military aviation and even touch some of the vehicles in the yard.

BONEYARD FUN FACTS

Part of the second Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen , was filmed at Davis-Monthan’s boneyard. The movie was released in 2009 in place of the Smithsonian.

The Pima Air & Space Museum, a privately funded air museum, is the largest of its kind in the world.

One of the few survivors of the famous Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird family is housed in Tucson. 

Mainly set up for the purpose of tours, the boneyard offers “Celebrity Row,” which is a line of iconic aircraft. 

In 2012, the boneyard held more than 10,000 aircraft parts, which valued at $472 million combined.

Air Space Mag. http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/tour-boneyard-180952460/

Airplane Boneyards. http://www.airplaneboneyards.com/davis-monthan-afb-amarg-airplane-boneyard.htm

Airplane Mart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfTNxbVnKJQ

AMARC Experience. http://www.amarcexperience.com/ui/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=213

CGM Findings. http://cgmfindings.com/cgm/content/some-interesting-fun-facts-about-tucson-arizona

Internet Movie Data Base. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/locations

Movie Chronicles. http://www.moviechronicles.com/transformers/transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen/page/41/

Pima Air & Space Museum. http://www.pimaair.org/tour-boneyard

The Living Moon. http://www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/Davis_Monthan_Air_Base_Air_Force_Boneyard.html

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Interest Point 4 - The Boneyard

Launch Driving Directions

The following links will take you away from the Mojave Air & Space Port Website

Orbital  |  Lockheed L-1011

Pegasus  |  Boneyard

See one of the world's biggest aircraft 'graveyards' where planes go to die — and airlines can dissect them for parts

• Pinal Air Park in Arizona is one of the largest aircraft storage facilities in the world.
• The multi-million business boomed during the pandemic as airlines worldwide grounded hundreds of jets.
• The airpark is also a hub for maintenance, as well as re-configuring jets when they get a new operator.

As the aviation industry hopes to reduce its carbon footprint, companies are coming up with new strategies to alleviate CO2 emissions.

in April, the Aviation Circularity Consortium, including Australian flag carrier Qantas and other groups, was created as a "joint mission to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation."

The plan is to use the 8,000 "end-of-life retired aircraft" that are sitting in deserts, jungles, and storage yards across the globe. Another 11,000 are expected to be available over the next 10 years.

According to the consortium, the thousands of decommissioned aircraft offer "a new source of valuable circular materials" and address the "significant waste pollution challenges to the shrinking legal boneyards around the world."

These "graveyards" started filling up during the pandemic when airlines had to make drastic cost-cutting changes, including furloughing pilots, cutting routes, and indefinitely storing hundreds of planes in the desert.

One of these facilities is Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona — a small town located about 90 miles southeast of Phoenix.

As airlines started to shrink in 2020, hundreds of planes from all over the world flew to the 2,080-acre airpark.

With the influx, Pinal had to take special precautions to ensure the aircraft was ready to fly once travel eventually rebounded.

Because of this, Ascent Aviation Services — the largest aircraft service provider on the airfield — had to beef up its staff to maintain the constant arrivals.

Company CCO Scott Butler told Business Insider last year that starting in March 2020, planes were coming in at about one per hour — requiring over 150 extra mechanics.

Additional parking lots were built to handle the hundreds of planes, which continued to be filled into 2021 and 2022 with jets coming from places like the US, South Korea, UK, Australia, and Canada.

I went inside one of the US' largest aircraft storage facilities and saw how it isn't emptying out despite the rise in air travel

Leasing companies were also filling the airfield after buying up inexpensive planes sold during COVID and storing them at Pinal.

Inside a remote Arizona aircraft boneyard storing nearly 300 planes grounded by the pandemic

However, with travel now roaring back and demand on track to surpass 2019 levels, AAS has gotten back to its roots — maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

Basic offerings include simple maintenance checks and on-demand repairs, like fixing the landing gear or inspecting the flight controls.

However, heavy maintenance is the most costly for airlines. This involves a full assessment of the aircraft and can take up to 60 days for widebody jets, Butler explained.

"A narrowbody will cost around $2 million," he told BI in May 2023. "With widebodies, you're easily looking at $3 million."

These projects take a lot of manpower. Butler said the company targets 400-500 hours per day for widebodies and 300 per day for narrowbodies.

Because the checks are so expensive, many carriers opt to sell the aircraft when it gets to that stage in its lifecycle, which is typically every six to 10 years.

Source: National Aviation Academy

Or, the operator will allow an aircraft lease to expire. This means if the lessor finds a new home for the plane, it will need to be fitted for its next contract.

For these conversions, AAS offers additional services, like re-painting liveries, switching out flight systems, and installing new cabins.

Sometimes, aircraft will transition from a passenger jet to a cargo plane — a service the company saw increased popularity during the pandemic, especially with older jets.

See the giant Airbus A330 freighter aircraft that will power a new lucrative cargo operation for Amazon

For flight tests and deliveries, the operator will arrange pilots, who will land and depart on the designated runway stretching Pinal's airfield.

Overall, Butler said AAS can do nearly anything an airline would need from an MRO standpoint.

The main service it can't provide is engine overhauls, which are outsourced to other shops.

"A lot of our current projects are just waiting on engines," Butler told BI. "There's a backlog because no one did engine maintenance during COVID because of the expenses."

He explained this is adding to the already strained supply chain that has caused a slowdown in returning aircraft to service.

While AAS does a lot of work keeping airplanes flying, it also offers aircraft reclamation and end-of-life services — what the consortium wants to capitalize on.

This involves disassembling and disposing of unwanted parts, which make up about 10% of the airplane.

According to Butler, the other 90% is recyclable. These include things like engines and galley carts...

...and avionics and landing gear.

However, he said custom interiors do not have much value except to the original operator.

A plane can spend months being salvaged, with hundreds of collected parts being resold or repaired for future use.

The re-certified pieces can be sent back to airlines who keep them in their inventory as spare parts — meaning retired jets can still provide for current ones.

Meanwhile, some carriers will take parts of the metal to create memorabilia, like cutting the logo or airline name from the fuselage and using it as wall art.

In addition to the strong MRO and reclamation divisions, storage and parking is still a strong revenue source for AAS.

"80% of all the stored aircraft worldwide are stored in the Southwest," Butler told BI in 2021.

During an April 2023 tour of the airpark, BI found the main lot full of planes, including two rare Boeing 747SPs.

Mechanics spend up to two weeks getting a plane ready for storage. Important components like the engines, pitot tubes, systems, and landing gear are sealed and protected.

This is especially important to prevent critters and other wildlife from taking up residence in the airplane's openings and small crevices.

Butler told BI the stored aircraft also get regular maintenance checks to keep them airworthy.

Parked planes, on the other hand, do not get this service and can be left to collect dust — giving Pinal its "boneyard" nickname.

• Main content

Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV) in California

The early days of flight at mojave.

The City of Mojave is located in the California desert about 95 miles north of Los Angeles, near Edwards Air Force Base, on Highway 58 between Barstow and Bakersfield.

The Mojave Airport was first opened in 1935 as a small, rural airfield serving the local gold and silver mining industry.

With the advent of World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps took over the field in 1942, and expanded it into a training facility known as the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave .

During World War II the field trained thousands of Navy and Marine pilots for combat, using SBD dive bombers and F4U Corsairs.

MCAAS was decommissioned in 1946, and became a U.S. Navy airfield. At the end of 1953, the USMC reopened MCAAS Mojave as an auxiliary field to MCAS El Toro. In 1961, Kern County obtained title to the airport.

Mojave Airport (MHV) Today

Today, the Mojave Air and Space Port and industrial park is home to more than 60 companies engaged in flight development, highly advanced aerospace design, flight test and research, the wind industry, heavy rail industrial manufacturing, and airliner storage and reclamation.

Tenants include the National Test Pilot School, Virgin Galactic, BAE Systems, Orbital ATK, Scaled Composites, ASB Avionics and many more. Related facilities include the Stuart O. Witt Event Center, Monster Fitness and the Voyager Restaurant.

The airport is assigned FAA Identifier MHV, and is located at 2,787 feet above sea level. Runway 12/30 is 12,503 feet in length, 200 feet wide.

It is the first facility to be licensed in the United States for horizontal launches of reusable spacecraft, being certified as a spaceport by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2004. The development and launch of the experimental SpaceShipOne was arguably the biggest "first" in the history of Mojave Air and Space Port.

Mojave is also the location of the filming of many major film productions. The Mojave Air and Space Port website offers details about movie production and includes an extensive location/set gallery.

FAA Diagram of the Mojave Air and Space Port

Airliner storage and reclamation at mojave.

The Mojave airport is also a storage facility for commercial airliners, due to its vast area and dry, low-humidity desert conditions. The area is located in a remote area away from large metropolitan areas and other major airports.

Large Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell-Douglas, and Lockheed aircraft owned by major airlines are stored at times at Mojave.

Some aircraft reach the end of their useful lifetime and are scrapped at the Mojave aircraft boneyard, while others are refurbished and returned to active service.

The Last Qantas Boeing 747 Sent to Mojave in 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Qantas Airlines is sending its fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s to desert storage in the Western USA.

The last 747, VH-OEJ, named "Wunala", left Australia in July of 2020. Operating as Flight "QF7474", it flew from Sydney Airport on July 22, with its takeoff witnessed by hundreds of spectators and airplane spotters.

The aircraft was a 747-438(ER), delivered to Qantas in July of 2003, making the plane 17 years old. The last leg of the final flight was made on July 24, 2020, flying from LAX to the Mojave Airport.

Qantas Farewells "Queen of the Skies"

Touring the Mojave Air and Space Port

The Mojave Air & Space Port does not offer tours to the public. However, they do invite visitors during the monthly “Plane Crazy Saturdays" to see the airport, static displays and possible fly-ins. Contact the Mojave Chamber of Commerce for dates and details.

The Voyager Restaurant is located in the airport terminal building, under the old tower adjacent to transient parking. It is open 7 days a week, for breakfast and lunch.

During official, major events, visitors should enter the airport property from the south on Airport Boulevard at the Highway 58 entrance. They will be directed to specific areas for parking and viewing.

Also, the airport offers a Mojave Air and Space Port Virtual Driving Tour . The virtual tour includes 9 stops around the facility that highlight its major attractions. Very well done!

For directions to the Mojave Air and Space Port, see the interactive map at the bottom of this page.

As always, we recommend obeying all warning signs and avoiding restricted areas.

For more information, contact the East Kern Airport District, 1434 Flightline, Mojave, CA 93501. Phone 661.824.2433. Or visit the official website of the Mojave Air and Space Port

Another Major Desert Boneyard: The Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) in Victorville

The Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) is located in Victorville, California. Also known as Victorville Airport, it is home to many aviation related businesses, including Southern California Aviation , a large transitional facility for commercial aircraft.

The City of Victorville is located on Interstate Highway 15 between the San Bernardino area and Barstow. SCLA is about 7 miles northwest of the city. The facility is located on the site of the former George Air Force Base , in active service from 1941 to 1992.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, airlines from around the world parked some of their fleets at Victorville.

For example, Qantas Airlines is sending its fleet of Airbus A380s to Victorville for storage.

... about the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville

Map of major aircraft boneyards in California relative to Los Angeles

Photos of the mojave airport in california, mojave air & space port in the news.

History of the City of Mojave, California

Mojave, California was established in 1876 when the Southern Pacific Railroad laid out the original plat for a town on its line between Los Angeles and San Francisco over nearby Tehachapi Pass. Mining and transportation have played key roles in Mojave's history, and gold was discovered in 1894 on Soledad Mountain and at other nearby locations.

Borax also played a role in Mojave's history, especially between 1884 and 1889 when the famous 20-Mule Team Wagons hauled borax between mines in Death Valley and the railroad in Mojave, a 160 mile, 15-day trip.

Links and More Resources about Mojave

Mojave Air and Space Port Mojave Transportation Museum Mojave Chamber of Commerce Visit Mojave Kern County Tourism Bureau

Interactive Map of Mojave California

Map of locations of active and post-WWII airplane boneyards and plane storage facilities in the United States and worldwide

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