tucson plane graveyard tour

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.

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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.

PLEASE SHARE TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

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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.

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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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.

Popular Tucson Helicopter Tours

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Boneyard Safari Preserving Aviation HIstory

Hands on tours, night photography, & guided aerial tours, boneyard safari provides a hands on tour in conjunction with aircraft restoration management in tucson.  .

Take a unique tour and see a side of aviation with an exclusive look through aircraft in their different conditions at Aircraft Restoration Marketing, which is one of the last regeneration facilities in Tucson.  Boneyard Safari Docents will guide 10 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, and P-3.  It is limited to 3 hours due to weather conditions.  Bring your cameras because this is a unique opportunity to go inside of aircraft as they are being regenerated or seeing their final days.  Be prepared for hot weather, so bring a hat, sunscreen, good hiking shoes (lots of critters), and water!  Please note this is not a tour of AMARG (The Boneyard) on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Guided Aerial Tours with Volare Helicopters

Join Volare Helicopters for an amazing aerial adventure over the Sonoran Desert exploration aviation history, one of Boneyard Safari's team will join for the flight and explain about the aircraft stored in the desert, the history and future of the aircraft. (In the special request field, add Boneyard Safari)

Book your Aerial Tour Here

Hands on tour dates, august 2024, august 31st 6:30am tour, august 28th 6:30am tour, september 2024, september 1st 6:30am tour, september 2nd 6:30am tour, september 13th 6:30am tour, september 14th 6:30am tour, september 11th 6:30am tour, september 18th 6:30am tour, september 21st 6:30am tour, september 22nd 6:30am tour, october 2024, october 5th 7:00am tour, october 5th 10:30am tour, october 6th 7:00am tour, october 12th 7:00am tour, october 6th 10:30am tour, october 12th 10:30am tour, october 19th 7:00am tour, october 19th 10:30am tour, november 2024, november 6th 8:00am tour, november 6th 11:00am tour, november 9th 8:00am tour, november 9th 11:00am tour, november 23rd 8:00am tour, november 16th 8:00am tour, november 16th 11:00am tour, november 23rd 11:00am tour, november 29th 8:00am tour, november 29th 11:00am tour, november 30th 8:00am tour, november 30th 11:00am tour, december 2024, december 7th 8:00am tour, december 7th 11:00am tour, december 14th 8:00am tour, december 8th 8:00am tour, december 15th 8:00am tour, december 21st 8:00am tour, december 22nd 8:00am tour, december 23rd 8:00am tour, december 8th 11:00am tour, december 14th 11:00am tour, december 15th 11:00am tour, december 21st 11:00am tour, december 22nd 11:00am tour, december 23rd 11:00am tour.

Place was a blast tour was great and I learned a lot

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.

The Boneyard: World's largest airplane graveyard is in Tucson, Arizona

PHOENIX — What happens to our nation's militarized aircraft when it's time to toss it? Welcome to the largest aircraft graveyard in the world, The Boneyard!

See all of the cool planes and space aircraft in the video above!

The Boneyard is formally known as the 309th AMARG (Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Group). An AMARG is a boneyard facility for all excess military and government aircraft. Planes, jets, helicopters, and space shuttles belonging to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and NASA are processed here. Another role of AMARG is to convert fighter jets into aerial target drones.

The 309th AMARG is located at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. This collection picked up steam after World War II. More than 500 people are currently employed to take care of the 4,400+ aircraft that call this airfield their permanent residence.

When the aircraft first arrive at the 309th AMARG, they are welcomed by the receiving branch. This group's responsibilities include reviewing the carrier's paperwork – an entire history of documentation including noted maintenance over the years. Next, the aircraft is stripped of firearms (all guns), ejection seat charges, clocks, and classified hardware. Following the cavity cleanse is a nice long bath. This wash is especially important for vehicles that served in salty areas. The salt must be fully removed so it does not corrode the exterior while in storage.

Sequentially, the fuel system is drained, filled with lightweight oil, then drained again. This will coat the system with a protective oil film. The aircraft is finally sealed off from dust, high temperatures, and sunlight. A variety of techniques are used, from spraylat (an opaque, white, high-tech vinyl plastic compound spray) to garbage bags. The cabin will generally stay within 15 degrees of the outside temperature thanks to the spraylat.

Finally, the aircraft is towed to its final resting place/designated storage position.

To visit the 309th AMARG, click here!

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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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Davis-Monthan AFB AMARG: The Vide

Davis-Monthan Air FOrce Base is 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.

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. It is the largest airplane boneyard in the world.

This video highlights storage and parts reclamation activities at AMARG. It runs fairly quickly, so sit back and enjoy ... and turn up your volume for some easy-listening music!

Like all YouTube videos, you can click to view full screen, and mute the music if you like.

YouTube Video of Davis-Monthan AFB AMARG boneyard in Tucson, Arizona

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Copyright © 2024 AirplaneBoneyards.com  All Rights Reserved. An online resource about facilities engaged in the storage, reclamation & disassembly of aircraft ... we do not own or operate a boneyard, or have an affiliation with any boneyard, the Department of Defense, or any aviation museum or tour group.

There’s An Intriguing Airplane Boneyard In Arizona That You Need To Visit

Monica Spencer

Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at [email protected].

More by this Author

Arizona is well-known as a snowbird paradise—for both the flying and biped kind—because of the mild winters and sunny days that are great for winter food supply and aging joints. But did you know our state is also the perfect retirement home for another flying creature? Well, less of a creature and more of a contraption. There is an incredible airplane boneyard in Arizona that is a perfect roadside stop for any plane enthusiasts out there. Or even just a fascinating stop for anyone who wants to see a rare, one-of-a-kind attraction you won’t really find anywhere else.

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Tours of the boneyard are available on weekdays from the Pima Air and Space Museum, located at 2720 S Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ, 85707. Additional information can be found on their website, pimaair.org .

Want to find another fantastic southern Arizona find that you can visit this weekend? Check out our recent article, The Story Behind This Arizona Biodome Is Both Fascinating And Controversial .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Photographing the Aircraft Boneyard, Tucson AZ

Aside from the spectacle of the boneyard itself, the area is very exciting for photographers. The background is filled with towering Sky Islands; mountain ranges that abruptly pierce the desert floor. Davis-Monthan is a busy Air Force base with combat aircraft and a flight training school. The airspace was growling with A-10 Thunderbolts, C-130 Hercules, UH-60 Blackhawks, and I even saw a pair of massive CH-53 Super Stallions, our biggest chopper.

As a kid I was a huge military aviation buff and still am to a certain extent. My dad was a chopper pilot in the Army, which allowed him access to all US military bases. Growing up in Jersey, many of our vacations consisted of driving to the Air Force bases along the east coast where we’d go plane-spotting.

SR-71 Blackbird, Pima Aviation Museum

The boneyard contained almost every model of US military aircraft since the 70’s, but there were a few notable sights. It was incredible to see rows of the massive C-5 Galaxy, the free world’s largest ever airplane, parked dozens deep like toys. Once formidable B-1 supersonic tactical bombers laid defunct and torn apart.

Rows of C-5 Galaxy’s at the Boneyard

What you need to know about photographing the Boneyard

The Boneyard is an active Air Force base. You’re not free to wander among the rows of aircraft; it can only be accessed by guided coach bus tour. The large, air-conditioned coach departs from the PIMA Aviation Museum and drives along the permitted roads within the boneyard. Since you’ll be photographing, you want to avoid getting stuck in an aisle seat. Make sure to get in line early to board the bus first to secure a window seat. I visited on a weekday and the bus was plenty full, so I’d probably avoid weekend crowds. You’ll be shooting through closed, tinted windows. To avoid reflections in the glass, hold your camera almost right against the window. I still had to do a lot of processing in a few of my photos to remove white reflections. During the first half of the tour, the bus stops briefly in front of each aircraft. During this period you’ll have enough time to concentrate on each shot. Here volunteer retirees, once themselves pilots, talk about each plane. During the second half of the tour the bus drives quickly up and down the rows without stopping. This will be run & gun photography with  lots of panning. You get great views sitting on either side of the bus, but I’d probably recommend the right (passenger) side by a narrow margin as of Aug 2016. Having visited in mid August to purposely catch the Monsoon season, there were spectacular cumulonimbus clouds in the background.

C-5 Galaxy, the free world’s largest Aircraft

As for the equipment that I used, the type of camera for this basic type of photography is irrelevant, but the lens is important. It’s best to have a zoom lens that goes from very wide to medium telephoto. You’ll use wide angle for when your bus parks right in front of the nose of a C-5 Galaxy, and telephoto to shoot way down the rows of aircraft. Though blue skies may tempt one to use a polarizer, I didn’t want to rob myself of two stops and add yet more glass, while already shooting through tinted windows.

A-10 Thunderbolt, Pima Aviation Museum

S-3 Viking, Boneyard

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AMARG Plane Boneyard

4820 S. Wickenburg Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson , Arizona 85707-4332 USA

• Independent
• Wheelchair Accessible
• No Public Restrooms
• More in Tucson

Private Property

This location is on private property and is presented for information purposes only.

“The largest plane boneyard”

PLEASE NOTE: You now need to make a reservation at least ten days in advance, and you must pass security clearance. Home to the largest plane "boneyard" in the world, it's a must-see for anyone in the Tucson area. 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. 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. A bus tour runs from the Pima Air Museum for anyone wanting a closer look at the Boneyard.

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Reviewed by James Fisher

• Road Warrior
• 534 Reviews
• 492 Helpful

You have to go to the Pima Air Museum and sign onto the bus tour to access this place, which otherwise is (very) private property.

Reviewed by luke.severn.39

Security is tight but you have to risk it for the biscuit.

Reviewed by Christina Gerrish

Drove by this, pulled off the road to take some pictures. Got yelled at by a passer by and then we went to the Air and Space Museum.

Reviewed by MICHAEL KENNEDY

Fantastic palce, unbelievable staff, exhibits displayed better than most others. Facility no 1.

Reviewed by chelsiegus

This looks awesome but it's a restricted area and you aren't allowed on the air force base. We tried #Oops you can see it from the street on the other side of the base

Reviewed by Murray 123

The Pima Air Museum makes it really really easy to get on a bus tour here:

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Tucson, Arizona : Aircraft Boneyard Tour (Closed)

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The Pima Air and Space Museum says that access is no longer available to the general public. No tours.

"Due to changes in U.S. Air Force security considerations, the offsite bus tours of 'The Boneyard' have permanently ended."

Davis Mothan AFB is the biggest airport in the world! "The boneyard" have more than 4,000 military planes. You can do a tour in it. Departure is from the nearby PIMA Air Museum. The bus tour lasts an hour and is very impressive -- all kinds of planes are stored in Davis AFB. An ex-US Air Force pilot is your guide as well in the bus. You are not allowed to get off the bus, but you can take as many pictures as you want.

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