From sky to sand: Tucson's vast aircraft resting place
Every military aircraft eventually concludes its service. This isn't always due to being shot down or damaged; they simply outlive their usefulness over time. Where do these gigantic machines end up after completing their missions and no longer meeting the requirements of the modern military? Americans have decided to send this equipment to the desert in Arizona. There, in the town of Tucson, is the largest aircraft boneyard in the world, housing as many as 4,000 aircraft.
The American Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) utilizes a vast 6,400-acre area that has become home to various types of military aircraft. From Cold War-era bombers and fighters to modern transport planes, all of these machines are sent to this location. But AMARG is not just a boneyard; it's also a center for recycling, maintenance, and renovation, where aircraft can regain their original functions or serve as a source of parts for other machines.
Arizona is home to the world’s largest military aircraft boneyard
In the heart of the desert, Tucson, Arizona, is the largest area in the world, and it is dedicated to storing military aircraft retired from service. In the sunny and dry climate, these machines are stored to continue serving the American military. Their technical condition remains good enough for reuse if needed.
The dry Arizona desert provides ideal conditions for long-term aircraft storage. The low humidity minimizes corrosion risk, and the hot temperatures help keep the machines in good condition. These conditions allow aircraft to be stored for many years, and their parts can be used to repair other military machinery.
AMARG’s tasks – more than just an aircraft boneyard
While AMARG serves as an aircraft "boneyard," its role extends beyond storing unused machines. Although the United States Air Force will no longer use some of these aircraft, they remain quite capable. In such cases, planes are sometimes repaired and sent to other countries that need operational machines but do not want to invest in purchasing new ones.
AMARG is also an extraordinary place for aviation enthusiasts. It houses machines that were part of Cold War history and modern fighters and transport planes that are symbols of the contemporary military. A place with such a "collection" of historical aircraft cannot be found anywhere else.
