America's aircraft boneyard: Arizona's desert sanctuary
Every military aircraft eventually completes its service. This is not always due to being shot down or damaged—over time, they become redundant. Where do these enormous machines end up after finishing their missions and no longer meeting the requirements of the modern army? The Americans have decided to send the equipment to the desert in Arizona. Tucson is the most significant aircraft boneyard in the world, with as many as 4,000 aircraft.
The American Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) utilises a vast area of about 2,600 hectares, home to various types of military aircraft. All these machines are sent to this location, from Cold War-era bombers and fighters to modern transport planes. However, AMARG is not just a boneyard but also a centre 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
At the heart of the desert in Tucson, Arizona, is the largest area in the world 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 adequate for reuse if needed.
The dry Arizona desert provides ideal conditions for long-term aircraft storage. The low humidity minimises corrosion risk, and the hot temperatures help preserve the machines. 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. The United States Air Force will no longer use some of these, yet they remain capable aircraft. In such cases, planes are sometimes repaired and sent to other countries that need operational machines without wishing to invest in purchasing new ones.
AMARG is also a remarkable place for aviation enthusiasts. It houses machines that were part of Cold War history and modern fighters and transport planes that symbolise today’s military. A place with such a "collection" of historical aircraft cannot be found anywhere else.
