I was there in October. Yes, you can visit the boneyard but it has to be on an official tour from the Pima Museum. The aircraft in storage there ARE NOT rotting. Some are being used for parts while some are in mothballs in the event they are needed to be restored for operational duty. Some of the C-5s will be converted into C-5Ms. This is NOT a junk yard. It's an aircraft storage facility. Older, worn out aircraft are cut up for scrap but there are airframes there that will fly again. The "boneyard" is actually a reclamation center.
I grew up a few blocks from the main gate at D-M, back in the 70's. I used to love taking the MASDC (Now AMARG) tour. Now you have to go to Pima Air and Space Museum and buy tickets, but back then you just had to get to the Security office good and early, sign up and wait for the clunky old USAF school bus to take you on tour. Back then, there were still quite a few WW2 and Korea era planes in the mix, as well as modern test aircraft that had gone into mass production. The prototype 707 was one of my favorites. If you get a chance to visit the place, you should.
Great job in bringing the mission of the 'boneyard' to light. Lots of good information, history, and photography. Thanks everyone for all your hard work.
I remember looking down at "The Boneyard" from Mt. Lemmon as the sun reflected off all those aircraft. It was like a very large mirror reflecting the sun.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to drive by the bone yard my whole life. I dont know which is more magical, having to opportunity to see such history everyday or knowing tha my father TSgt William R. (Ted) Estes jr retired from DMAFB after 20yrs of honorable service.
As a kid in the 80s I built most of the aircraft here. I was at my VA hospital few months back and a worker was walking out with a model, I stopped him, asked him about the 6 turning & 4 burning, said a vet that few on one built it. Probably knew his number was coming. .
shame XV470 - 1969 build RAF F-4 Phantom FGR.2 could not be saved, this aircraft for many years was a gate guardian at Raf Woodvale Near Southport Sefton Uk
I've visited Davis-Monthan and it is great so visit if you are in Arizona. I rode a C-121 to Libya and a C118 back from Germany to New Jersey..and yes,a C119 from Turkey to Greece and then a C130 to France...
I didn't watch the video, but went there over the summer. There's a hunk of titanium and other metals in the frames of the B-2 and other top aircraft cockpit sitting out in the open valued over 1 billion dollars! 1 billion for the frame of the plane (metal: I think it was titanium)!!! If you go, I highly suggest taking the tour of the base (from the museum) and allowing a few hours to walk around the museum.
But also, the Air Force Broadcasting Service produced the show, Airman Magazine shot the time lapse and still imagergy. The video was acquired by SSgt Zach Lopez and myself.
Tucson was part of my sales territory once and I had to drive around the base a few times just to look at the aircraft. I suppose having two uncles that were former jet fighter pilots had something to do with that (one was killed in his F-100). For me, gazing down the rows of aircraft a sense of peace comes over me, its quiet and calm yet you realize these machines were designed for another mission. Keep up the good work gentlemen and thanks to Air Force Today for putting on this excellent video, very professional.
Forgot to mention, just think, at one time there were hundreds of P-51 Mustangs out there after the war, what a shame they for the most part were all scraped. I don't know if the general public back then could buy one, I'm sure some were lucky enough to.
Beyond the sadness of seeing so many great aircraft "retired", one does have to wonder whether the AF has gotten into the habit of "retiring" aircraft prematurely, well short of their full useful life. Think about it. The F-117 is already gone. C-5s are numerous out there and are not being "regenerated".
I lament there loss also and hopefully some will be preserved at Davis- Mothan or Wright - Patterson. I have great affection for these aircraft having worked in DoD/ NASA facilities for about thirty years. I still remember when I saw my first C-5 in flight over thirty years ago. These planes are now old, the C-5 is fifty. The C-17 does everything the C-5 did and more economically.. F-117 the same, a thirty year old aircraft. Still very stealthy, but the service has decided to invest in UAVs instead.
It's really a sight to see Davis Monthon AFB and the over 5000 planes on Google Earth. I visit the storage facility on Google Earth all the time and look for things I may have missed in the past. Also, it seems that the operators of the satellites scan new area photos to update Google Earth about once a year so it's always cool to check out the new satellite photos to see what's been added since the last Arial photos were taken! If you know how to use all the tools in Google Earth it makes it so much easier to compare Satellites photos from over the years and the different layers as far back as 25 years ago! Check it out.[
Great place to visit and learn about the many ways AMARC keeps serving aircraft flying. Those who think AMARC exists just to "scrap" are ignorant. Scrap is what's left over after millions of dollars in parts and equipment are efficiently harvested. Obsolete fighters are returned to service as drones for missile testing, airlifters are parted out to keep others working, and a wide variety of common electronics and other hardware are pulled, tested or overhauled, then put back into the supply system. Airframes ready to be scrapped are used for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair training which is vital and cannot be done on active aircraft for obvious reasons. (My class got to hack holes through skin, hydraulic lines and wiring in an A-7 and C-130 then repair the damage. Large fun was had by all.)
You have to get a very high score on your ASVAB test to get in the USAF. They have the highest score from all the services. so it's kinda more difficult if you have problems with that exam.
Anyone else get a knot in their stomach watchin the birds come in to be put down? I crewed KC-10's and we flew in to monthan after the gulf war and watched wave after wave f-4's come in..all different variants from rf-4's to ww f4's....it felt erie being there...
lived here all my life and its weird to see people being amazed its just a normal view here. anyways u cant go inside the boneyard but the museum is cool and you can do what ever you want there .
Not according to the video. They said it was open to the public and you are even allowed to get up close and personal with these aircraft.Only a special few were off limits.
LuRcH February 2015 - The only way on the boneyard is on a bus tour from the Pima Air and Space Museum. No one is allowed off the bus and ID's may be checked on the way in to the grounds.
amazing place i visited many years ago whilst recovering and restoring a super constellation for flight back to australia. There are many aircraft available for sale but when i was there the way it was done was to buy from the scrappers before they scrap what u want the scrappers have the contracts and access to aircraft u cant buy direct from davis monthan but there are deals to be had . whilst there i saw 3 cessna o2's in flying condition still in military garb with wing hardpoints etc 7,500 bucks each a bargain..If you visit davis monthan the bone yard dont forget to go across the road to Pima air and space museum that is really most wonderful place to see the old aircraft and a bonus to travellers well was when i was there is all the hotels in town have free open bar from 5 till 7 for guests yup open bar anything for free so finish ur exploring for the day at half 4 so u make the free bar back at the hotel..
This is so cool-I could spend days wandering around. On the B-52's and B-1's still flying it seems there is two reasons they are there-over time on the airframe or reduction in force as part of a treaty. Would this be correct?
Hey, is that the Air Borne Laser B747 there at 2:05? Has that been retired already? I thought at least the laser unit would have been removed and put in indoor storage given that it's the "business end" of the system.
You are correct. They were originally set out in plain sight so that the former Soviet Union could see that we were living up to our end of the bargain.
Congratulations to TAF for explaining this essential mission. It is clear that the reclaimed parts, repurposed aircraft and recycled materials keep out warfighters in the air and taxpayers' cost lower while making sure the mission continues.
Similar appearance, but the one shown is a radar test platform. The Laser one has a rotating ball on the nose and is still at Edwards. There were some recent adaptations, but budget has severely dampened it's use.
they are not rotting theres a reason they are in the dessert no moisture this place is like a pick u part for the air force some airplanes that are still in service like the warthhog or a10 get parts from here because that plane went out of production but is still a lethal plain and we have 300 in service and plenty of parts here no junk yard!
+Just An Old Southerner True that. To the rest of the country, we in the south are fair game. From "Tobacco Road" to " Deliverance" there is no hesitation at ridiculing anything Southern. But cheer up Just an old southerner, it could be worse. We could be from Detroit.
+WHEREISTHEREASON As a North Carolinian, I thought I was an American. Imagine being assigned to duty at MCAS Cherry Point, NC in 1958, imagine my disappointment. Sectionalism has always been rather nasty in the U.S. It's first major manifestation of which I am aware was the Civil War.
+New Day New day, In the book "1776" the author, whose name escapes me at the moment, details the differences of ideals and temperament embodied by the various colonies (soon to be states). If you have the chance I recommend reading it. Easily one of the best non-fiction works I've come across in some time. It is a collection of letters, journal and diary entries and congressional record from the time of the revolutionary war. It paints a most vivid image of the struggle and the mindset of those engaged.
+jerry6711 My response must be based on a measure of conjecture having not been there. But seeing the photographs and reading the comments of credible people, I have to say; could there be worse?
That's not true at all. The AF is the most difficult to get into right now, but it's because of budget cuts and manning. They're kicking people out and letting few in. They have some strict entrance requirements that other branches don't have, such as prior charges. DUI's pretty much eliminate you from the AF. LOL I remember working as a recruiter and some kid calls in, "Hey I was with a friend when he was busted for a meth lab but it wasn't mine, I was just there. Can I join the AF?" No.
Some of those aircraft belong on static display at a museum, not rotting in that bone yard. And there are a lot of warbirds that could be put back in the air with access to that place. They make me sick
I've never heard of an active duty recruiter, recruiting for civilian jobs. That's usually not the way it goes. It may be something with the Navy, but nothing I have ever heard of before. Those types of jobs consist of submitting applications, resumes, interviews, and acceptance. I mean, you still have to do that for the military, but the processes are different (such as medical evaluation). There are job recruiters but it wouldn't be your typical recruiting office. Maybe miscommunication?
Before I leave this earth, I am going to visit this historic site! It is so hard watch them scrap those awesome planes!
I was there in October. Yes, you can visit the boneyard but it has to be on an official tour from the Pima Museum. The aircraft in storage there ARE NOT rotting. Some are being used for parts while some are in mothballs in the event they are needed to be restored for operational duty. Some of the C-5s will be converted into C-5Ms. This is NOT a junk yard. It's an aircraft storage facility. Older, worn out aircraft are cut up for scrap but there are airframes there that will fly again. The "boneyard" is actually a reclamation center.
Thanks for explaining this, a lot of people have no idea what really goes on there.
Are you able to go in any of the aircraft?
I cry when I see the F-111 in such a state. These are incredible aircraft and it would seem to me they deserve better.
The F-4 Phantom has always been to me an airframe of striking beauty. This was a very entertaining piece. Thank you.
I grew up a few blocks from the main gate at D-M, back in the 70's. I used to love taking the MASDC (Now AMARG) tour.
Now you have to go to Pima Air and Space Museum and buy tickets, but back then you just had to get to the Security office good and early, sign up and wait for the clunky old USAF school bus to take you on tour.
Back then, there were still quite a few WW2 and Korea era planes in the mix, as well as modern test aircraft that had gone into mass production. The prototype 707 was one of my favorites.
If you get a chance to visit the place, you should.
Great that they invite the public.
A trip there is on my bucket list.
Stationed at DMAFB for 3 years. I loved going to the "Boneyard" and looking at all the planes.
Great job in bringing the mission of the 'boneyard' to light. Lots of good information, history, and photography. Thanks everyone for all your hard work.
I grew up there and left in 89. yes there is still ww2 aircraft there. makes me think of home when I see pictures of the boneyard.
I remember looking down at "The Boneyard" from Mt. Lemmon as the sun reflected off all those aircraft. It was like a very large mirror reflecting the sun.
So many great aircraft with proud histories ...
Thanks Matt!
Very well done Video.. Been to the Boneyard once and hope to go back again soon.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to drive by the bone yard my whole life. I dont know which is more magical, having to opportunity to see such history everyday or knowing tha my father TSgt William R. (Ted) Estes jr retired from DMAFB after 20yrs of honorable service.
Excellent! Brings back lots of memories. The time lapse was exceptional!! Nice job, Mr. Breese!!
Very well done and thanks for your service
As a kid in the 80s I built most of the aircraft here.
I was at my VA hospital few months back and a worker was walking out with a model, I stopped him, asked him about the 6 turning & 4 burning, said a vet that few on one built it.
Probably knew his number was coming. .
The F-4...the last of the real steam locomotives...RIP old friends.
Norm
Really a beautifully put together production. Thanks for all of your hard work on this. I really enjoyed it.
Very interesting, thanks for the show.
shame XV470 - 1969 build RAF F-4 Phantom FGR.2 could not be saved, this aircraft for many years was a gate guardian at Raf Woodvale Near Southport Sefton Uk
I've visited Davis-Monthan and it is great so visit if you are in Arizona.
I rode a C-121 to Libya and a C118 back from Germany to New Jersey..and yes,a C119 from Turkey to Greece and then a C130 to France...
I didn't watch the video, but went there over the summer. There's a hunk of titanium and other metals in the frames of the B-2 and other top aircraft cockpit sitting out in the open valued over 1 billion dollars! 1 billion for the frame of the plane (metal: I think it was titanium)!!! If you go, I highly suggest taking the tour of the base (from the museum) and allowing a few hours to walk around the museum.
Fascinating documentary! Greets from the UK.
That last segment really gets me.
But also, the Air Force Broadcasting Service produced the show, Airman Magazine shot the time lapse and still imagergy. The video was acquired by SSgt Zach Lopez and myself.
Tucson was part of my sales territory once and I had to drive around the base a few times just to look at the aircraft. I suppose having two uncles that were former jet fighter pilots had something to do with that (one was killed in his F-100). For me, gazing down the rows of aircraft a sense of peace comes over me, its quiet and calm yet you realize these machines were designed for another mission. Keep up the good work gentlemen and thanks to Air Force Today for putting on this excellent video, very professional.
Forgot to mention, just think, at one time there were hundreds of P-51 Mustangs out there after the war, what a shame they for the most part were all scraped. I don't know if the general public back then could buy one, I'm sure some were lucky enough to.
Yes it is, they show another photo at 18:30. I am correcting a prior posting I submitted thinking it was just a radar test plane.
the F-4 was such an awesome plane not to mention how sexy it looks its sad to see them being turned into targets
Beyond the sadness of seeing so many great aircraft "retired", one does have to wonder whether the AF has gotten into the habit of "retiring" aircraft prematurely, well short of their full useful life. Think about it. The F-117 is already gone. C-5s are numerous out there and are not being "regenerated".
I lament there loss also and hopefully some will be preserved at Davis- Mothan or Wright - Patterson. I have great affection for these aircraft having worked in DoD/ NASA facilities for about thirty years. I still remember when I saw my first C-5 in flight over thirty years ago. These planes are now old, the C-5 is fifty. The C-17 does everything the C-5 did and more economically.. F-117 the same, a thirty year old aircraft. Still very stealthy, but the service has decided to invest in UAVs instead.
Hauntingly Beautiful place I would truly love to vist
Corrie...this piece was done by some of our talented folks at Airmen Magazine. I will submit an inquiry as to who, specifically, did the time lapse.
The parts and alloys I understand. But to watch them demolished would be sad for this Veteran. We served together.
It is amazing video, congratulations, I love the planes!
It's really a sight to see Davis Monthon AFB and the over 5000 planes on Google Earth. I visit the storage facility on Google Earth all the time and look for things I may have missed in the past. Also, it seems that the operators of the satellites scan new area photos to update Google Earth about once a year so it's always cool to check out the new satellite photos to see what's been added since the last Arial photos were taken! If you know how to use all the tools in Google Earth it makes it so much easier to compare Satellites photos from over the years and the different layers as far back as 25 years ago! Check it out.[
Great place to visit and learn about the many ways AMARC keeps serving aircraft flying. Those who think AMARC exists just to "scrap" are ignorant. Scrap is what's left over after millions of dollars in parts and equipment are efficiently harvested. Obsolete fighters are returned to service as drones for missile testing, airlifters are parted out to keep others working, and a wide variety of common electronics and other hardware are pulled, tested or overhauled, then put back into the supply system. Airframes ready to be scrapped are used for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair training which is vital and cannot be done on active aircraft for obvious reasons. (My class got to hack holes through skin, hydraulic lines and wiring in an A-7 and C-130 then repair the damage. Large fun was had by all.)
horrible to see such great aircraft with such great history sitting there like that..
You have to get a very high score on your ASVAB test to get in the USAF. They have the highest score from all the services. so it's kinda more difficult if you have problems with that exam.
this kinda makes me cry.. must respect for every soilider int he world :)
Amazing!! I want to visit
Anyone else get a knot in their stomach watchin the birds come in to be put down? I crewed KC-10's and we flew in to monthan after the gulf war and watched wave after wave f-4's come in..all different variants from rf-4's to ww f4's....it felt erie being there...
lived here all my life and its weird to see people being amazed its just a normal view here. anyways u cant go inside the boneyard but the museum is cool and you can do what ever you want there .
Not according to the video. They said it was open to the public and you are even allowed to get up close and personal with these aircraft.Only a special few were off limits.
LuRcH February 2015 - The only way on the boneyard is on a bus tour from the Pima Air and Space Museum. No one is allowed off the bus and ID's may be checked on the way in to the grounds.
chippercs
very nice editing looks like a real news station. keep it up
Just depressing for me. So so many great machines gone for ever.
It was Mr. Andrew Breese who did the time lapse shots for us
amazing place i visited many years ago whilst recovering and restoring a super constellation for flight back to australia. There are many aircraft available for sale but when i was there the way it was done was to buy from the scrappers before they scrap what u want the scrappers have the contracts and access to aircraft u cant buy direct from davis monthan but there are deals to be had . whilst there i saw 3 cessna o2's in flying condition still in military garb with wing hardpoints etc 7,500 bucks each a bargain..If you visit davis monthan the bone yard dont forget to go across the road to Pima air and space museum that is really most wonderful place to see the old aircraft and a bonus to travellers well was when i was there is all the hotels in town have free open bar from 5 till 7 for guests yup open bar anything for free so finish ur exploring for the day at half 4 so u make the free bar back at the hotel..
I live here I've been there a lot
Damn I wasn´t aware one could visit this place!
Was there a year ago, Hi from the UK! :)
This is so cool-I could spend days wandering around. On the B-52's and B-1's still flying it seems there is two reasons they are there-over time on the airframe or reduction in force as part of a treaty. Would this be correct?
4:12 oh come on donate that to a restoration group!!!
Tucson, HOOAH!
my airplane C-5 700457 hasn't been torn apart there yet. this according to Dover's museum director.
Been their many times . It changes all the time . And yes it is Mecca for those of us who airplane nerds .
Saw my dear F-111s and F-4s on an aerial shot...I was an F-111D crew chief at Cannon AFB...RIP, Aardvark and Phantom!
very interesting
She has a great voice.
Well done, Who did the time-lapse?
Hey, is that the Air Borne Laser B747 there at 2:05? Has that been retired already? I thought at least the laser unit would have been removed and put in indoor storage given that it's the "business end" of the system.
I wish i can visit one day! Aziz
put it this way...none will ever fly but they won't admit it.f4 as a drone? I like that
I would love to go there, and i'm not even the slightest interested in airplanes.
Who do I contact about getting a copy of this program to include in current DEMIL Training? It was fantastic.
I wonder if they still ave any PBY's?
would love to go out there
Can't believe there are people who still think there are WW2 airplanes stored in the Arizona desert.
Ti's sad to know that there are F-22's there already. Their relatively new aircraft.
You are correct. They were originally set out in plain sight so that the former Soviet Union could see that we were living up to our end of the bargain.
Congratulations to TAF for explaining this essential mission. It is clear that the reclaimed parts, repurposed aircraft and recycled materials keep out warfighters in the air and taxpayers' cost lower while making sure the mission continues.
I'd like to go visit and find me a plane to buy and get it back in the air since they have all types. Do they have a surplus sales program?
Similar appearance, but the one shown is a radar test platform. The Laser one has a rotating ball on the nose and is still at Edwards. There were some recent adaptations, but budget has severely dampened it's use.
i was just wondering can you actually by old aircraft from there say the likes of an F-4 Phantom?
If I went there. So would buy a couple of a-10 thunderbolts and make one restored from all the parts. My fwvorite warplane of today.
i would go there if i didn't live in canada :(
Does anyone know the name of the piano song playing in the background of the last segment?
they are not rotting theres a reason they are in the dessert no moisture this place is like a pick u part for the air force some airplanes that are still in service like the warthhog or a10 get parts from here because that plane went out of production but is still a lethal plain and we have 300 in service and plenty of parts here no junk yard!
"Hillbilly farm in the middle of Texas" That was a bit offensive.
+Just An Old Southerner True that. To the rest of the country, we in the south are fair game. From "Tobacco Road" to " Deliverance" there is no hesitation at ridiculing anything Southern. But cheer up Just an old southerner, it could be worse. We could be from Detroit.
+WHEREISTHEREASON Is Detroit the worst city in the whole of the USA. Charlie Leduff book about Detroit says just that.
+WHEREISTHEREASON As a North Carolinian, I thought I was an American. Imagine being assigned to duty at MCAS Cherry Point, NC in 1958, imagine my disappointment. Sectionalism has always been rather nasty in the U.S. It's first major manifestation of which I am aware was the Civil War.
+New Day New day, In the book "1776" the author, whose name escapes me at the moment, details the differences of ideals and temperament embodied by the various colonies (soon to be states). If you have the chance I recommend reading it. Easily one of the best non-fiction works I've come across in some time. It is a collection of letters, journal and diary entries and congressional record from the time of the revolutionary war. It paints a most vivid image of the struggle and the mindset of those engaged.
+jerry6711 My response must be based on a measure of conjecture having not been there. But seeing the photographs and reading the comments of credible people, I have to say; could there be worse?
Makes me sad to know that most of those perfectly good WW2 planes that returned from PTO, and ETO were "turned into beer cans".
That's not true at all. The AF is the most difficult to get into right now, but it's because of budget cuts and manning. They're kicking people out and letting few in. They have some strict entrance requirements that other branches don't have, such as prior charges. DUI's pretty much eliminate you from the AF. LOL I remember working as a recruiter and some kid calls in, "Hey I was with a friend when he was busted for a meth lab but it wasn't mine, I was just there. Can I join the AF?" No.
Music credits?
Are their any C-119 -D Models in this yard?
+Albert Luppo The AMARC website used to list inventory and may still do so.
If I were a billionaire I would buy some of these to use in my private military.
F-35 new home
Sure, pay your entrance fee at the gate.
Is it difficult to get into the air force?
i want a f4 phantom to buy one
Migs at 1:27?
+smacdiesel Looks like a mig-15 or mig-17
today s air force at the boneyard castel
I just want to head out there with some people and restore a plane
Bring alot of money with you.
to mutch chat,i just wanted to see the planes
the seats can they fit my car?
Some of those aircraft belong on static display at a museum, not rotting in that bone yard. And there are a lot of warbirds that could be put back in the air with access to that place. They make me sick
If some organization expresses an interest in preserving a plane to be put on display, I sure the AMARG people try to accommodate them.
No. :P
Those F4s.... what a waste.
Can I buy a plane? Like a Galaxy???
Murican Airforce
My God!!!!!!Leave you hair free!!!
look at all that tax money we dont have
I've never heard of an active duty recruiter, recruiting for civilian jobs. That's usually not the way it goes. It may be something with the Navy, but nothing I have ever heard of before. Those types of jobs consist of submitting applications, resumes, interviews, and acceptance. I mean, you still have to do that for the military, but the processes are different (such as medical evaluation). There are job recruiters but it wouldn't be your typical recruiting office. Maybe miscommunication?