One of my photography dreams came true in February 2022 when I visited Tucson Arizona. While driving around this amazing desert city in southern Arizona, I discovered that the United States Military’s aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base was right in front of me. I could not believe that thousands of mothballed aircraft were just yards away from me. The only issue was that I couldn’t get on base to photograph any of it. Tours are no longer permitted. The airplane boneyard In Tucson Arizona was a lifelong goal to see.
I drove down every street, alley, and parking lot I could to get as close as I legally could to the aircraft. Trespassing is never an option for me. I never thought I’d see it in person, only in the television shows that have featured it. But I finally found it, had my camera with me, and was there at the right time of day. I spent 2 hours on my first trip checking out every angle I could find. I held my camera up as high as I could and got it low to the ground.
The airplane boneyard just southeast of downtown Tucson used to offer tours, but they no longer do. I took the aviation photography images below without crossing any fences, barriers, or warning signs. Next time I visit Tucson, I’d love to tour this amazing aviation photography location sitting in the middle of Pima County and the Arizona desert. That assumes that tours have resumed.
Update: The aircraft boneyard tours were stopped sometime around Covid and have not restarted. This is disappointing but what can you do?
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Airplane Boneyard Aerial Photos From The Air