
Hidden in the vast Arizona desert lies the world’s largest aircraft boneyard, a place where history, engineering, and preservation meet. Officially known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), this facility is located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Covering an area of over 2,600 acres, it is the largest aircraft storage and maintenance facility in the world, housing an incredible 3,200 retired planes.
While some aircraft here are dismantled for parts or scrapped, many are preserved in near-flight-ready condition. The dry desert climate of Tucson makes it the perfect location to store aircraft, as the low humidity prevents corrosion and rust, extending the lifespan of these mechanical giants.
From fighter jets to massive cargo planes, AMARG is a graveyard, museum, and workshop all in one, playing a critical role in military aviation history, aircraft recycling, and restoration efforts.
The Purpose of AMARG: More Than Just a Graveyard

1. Aircraft Storage and Preservation
AMARG is not just a place where planes go to die—it is a carefully organized facility where aircraft are stored, maintained, and sometimes even returned to service. Planes arriving at the boneyard go through a preservation process, where they are:
- Drained of fuel and fluids to prevent leaks
- Sealed with a special protective coating to minimize exposure to the elements
- Regularly inspected for potential reuse or restoration
2. Spare Parts and Recycling
One of the most important roles of AMARG is providing spare parts for active military and commercial aircraft. By stripping retired planes of reusable components, the facility helps save millions of dollars in replacement costs.
- Engines, landing gear, avionics, and even cockpit instruments are salvaged and repurposed for other aircraft.
- This recycling process contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for new manufacturing.
3. Aircraft Regeneration and Return to Service
Surprisingly, not all aircraft at AMARG remain grounded forever. Some are carefully restored and returned to service.
- The U.S. military often reactivates older planes for reserve units, training, or emergency use.
- Certain aircraft are even sold to allied nations, providing them with affordable military hardware.
4. Historic Aircraft Storage
The facility is home to some of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Some of the notable aircraft stored here include:
- F-4 Phantom fighter jets
- B-52 Stratofortress bombers
- C-5 Galaxy cargo planes
- F-14 Tomcats (Made famous by the movie Top Gun)
AMARG serves as a living history book of aviation, preserving aircraft that once dominated the skies.
Why Tucson? The Ideal Location for an Aircraft Boneyard

1. Dry Climate for Corrosion Prevention
Tucson, Arizona, was specifically chosen for AMARG because of its dry desert climate, which:
- Minimizes moisture buildup, preventing corrosion and rust
- Keeps aircraft in better condition for longer periods
- Reduces maintenance requirements, making storage more cost-effective
2. Hard Desert Soil for Easy Storage
The hard-packed desert soil eliminates the need for paved runways, allowing aircraft to be parked directly on the ground without sinking. This reduces infrastructure costs and makes storing thousands of aircraft much easier.
The Incredible Scale of AMARG

The sheer size of AMARG is astonishing. With over 3,200 aircraft stored across 2,600 acres, it is the largest aircraft preservation facility in the world. The boneyard has been carefully organized into sections based on the condition and future use of the planes:
- Long-term storage – Aircraft that may return to service in the future.
- Parts reclamation – Planes that are stripped for reusable components.
- Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program – Planes that are sold to allied nations.
- Scrap and disposal – Aircraft that are decommissioned and eventually scrapped for raw materials.
Famous Aircraft That Have Passed Through AMARG
Many legendary aircraft have spent time at AMARG, including:
- SR-71 Blackbird – The world’s fastest reconnaissance aircraft.
- B-1 Lancer Bomber – A supersonic heavy bomber used by the U.S. Air Force.
- A-10 Thunderbolt II (“Warthog”) – Known for its tank-killing capabilities.
- F-15 Eagle & F-16 Fighting Falcon – Two of the most successful fighter jets in history.
The Role of AMARG in Military Strategy

AMARG plays a crucial role in national security and military readiness.
- In times of war or emergency, the military can reactivate aircraft from the boneyard to increase fleet numbers quickly.
- The boneyard serves as a backup reserve for U.S. forces, ensuring that spare parts and replacement planes are always available.
The Future of Aircraft Storage and Preservation
As aviation technology advances, AMARG continues to evolve. With the development of stealth aircraft, drones, and advanced fighter jets, the boneyard will see new generations of planes arrive for storage.
Some of the future challenges include:
- The storage of newer composite-material aircraft, which require different preservation techniques.
- The environmental impact of scrapping aircraft, leading to efforts for more sustainable recycling methods.
Visiting the Boneyard: A Unique Tourist Attraction

While AMARG is a military-controlled facility, the Pima Air & Space Museum offers guided bus tours of the boneyard, allowing visitors to witness this incredible aircraft graveyard up close. Tourists can see row after row of retired warplanes, making it a bucket-list destination for aviation enthusiasts.
A Monument to Aviation History
The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is more than just a place where planes are stored—it is a living archive of aviation history. As the world’s largest aircraft boneyard, it plays a critical role in military logistics, aircraft preservation, and aviation heritage.
With thousands of planes resting in the Arizona desert, AMARG stands as a testament to human ingenuity, technological progress, and the enduring legacy of aviation.