See the Staggering Number of Planes in the Tucson Boneyard

Driving through Tucson on the roads that skirt around Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, you'll pass acres of grounded airplanes, all lined up in neat columns and rows.

The vast land filled with planes is a sight to behold. The glinting metal and glass structures glisten in the desert sunlight.

The first time I saw the impressive display, I wondered, "Why?" Why were so many generations of aircraft parked in the middle of Tucson next to the Air Force base?

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Why is the Airplane Graveyard in Tucson?

The airplane graveyard, or Boneyard, as it's often called, is located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.

ArizonaJourney.org explains that the area is officially known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). The boneyard is home to over 4,400 retired military aircraft.

Tucson's Airplane Graveyard is the largest aircraft boneyard in the world. It began housing out-of-service aircraft in 1946.

So, why is the Boneyard in Arizona? Tucson's weather is the perfect climate for preserving this vast collection. Since Tucson doesn't get a lot of rain, the humidity is relatively low. The hard, alkaline soil also prevents rust and corrosion from destroying the planes.

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The Boneyard has been storing surplus aircraft since the end of World War II. According to Wikipedia, the facility not only houses the aircraft but is also "used as a source of spare parts and a place for aircraft regeneration. "

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Visiting the Boneyard in Tucson

As you drive the roads near Davis-Monthan, you'll see the rows of aircraft, from B-52 bombers to F-14 Tomcats. If you'd like to see the plane up close and learn the history of the aircraft, you can book a tour with the Pima Air and Space Museum.

I took my dad when he visited Tucson a few years ago. He'd spent time in the Air Force and worked on some of the aircraft we saw during the tour.

The trip down memory lane was a joy for him, and learning the history behind the area and the aircraft was a wonderful day of bonding and learning for both of us. It's a day we'll never forget.

If you're an aviation aficionado, a history buff, or just curious about the Boneyard, it's worth a visit to learn about this piece of Tucson and aircraft history.

Sources: historynet.com | Wikipedia | arizonajourney.org | Visit Tucson | avgeekery.com | localwiki.org | Airplane Boneyards |  ABC15 Arizona