Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Airplane Boneyard Aerial Photos From The Air
February 1, 2023
On my second trip to Tucson, Arizona, I spent two hours at the Tucson airport monitoring the FlightRadar24 app to see which runway the early morning aircraft were using for departures. I then triangulated that with the location of the world’s largest airplane boneyard, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. My goal as an aviation photographer was to capture an aerial view of this massive aircraft boneyard. I never thought I’d get to create my very own airplane boneyard aerial photos. I was wrong!
Aerial views of this graveyard of human engineering are even more amazing than I had expected! You can see the thousands of disused military aircraft beautifully lined up by type. The giant cargo planes all together really give you an idea of the immense size of this southern Arizona institution. I wish I had more time to photograph this from the airplane, but I only had about 30 actual seconds. Good thing I was prepared to shoot this!
The beauty and symmetry of this desert icon are remarkable from the road and from the air. From the Southwest 737 I was flying on, I swear I shot these military planes for 1 continuous minute. I felt like I could see them forever, but my camera could only captures for a few seconds. The morning sunlight was casting beautiful shadows on the ground as well. Thee conditions were perfect to capture aviation photos of the coolest military aircraft boneyard in the world.
About Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Airplane Boneyard Aerial Photos
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a prominent and historic installation in the United States Air Force. Established in 1925, it has played a vital role in both peacetime operations and major conflicts. Home to the 355th Wing, this base is known for its exceptional support of combat airpower and global mobility. The vast expanse of the base harbors an array of aircraft, including the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II, which showcases the base’s dedication to close air support missions. One night I went to a local casino, and the A-10s were so loud and fast, but I could not see them. It was eery.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base also houses the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, famously known as the “Boneyard,” where retired aircraft find their final resting place. Beyond its military importance, the base contributes to the local community through various outreach programs and partnerships, making it an integral part of Tucson’s identity. Guided tours of the boneyard used to be offered. Tours are no longer offered, which is very disappointing.
