Ever wondered where retired aircraft go to rest, a silent fleet of metal giants awaiting their final chapter? The aircraft boneyard in Tucson, Arizona, is not just a storage facility; its a sprawling, sun-baked museum of aviation history, a place where the past and present of flight converge in a uniquely captivating display.

Last summer, the allure of this legendary destination finally drew us to Tucson, a city that unexpectedly holds a world of wonder. Having heard tales of "the boneyard" the Air Force slang term for this final resting place of retired aircraft I knew this would be a singular experience. The aircraft boneyard outside of Tucson is a legendary roadside destination, a true spectacle. It's a place where over 4,000 mothballed aircraft bake in the sun, spread across four square miles of the Arizona desert.

For those fascinated by the intricacies of aviation, the location stands as a monument to the ingenuity and evolution of flight. Aircraft Restoration & Marketing (ARM) Boneyard Safari is a tour offered in Tucson, providing an exclusive peek at these aircraft in their various states of preservation. The Boneyard Safari primarily hosts tours at Aircraft Restoration Marketing, one of the last regeneration facilities in Tucson. Visitors can get a unique perspective on aviation and see the incredible range of aircraft there.

However, access to these sites is often restricted. In general, an airplane boneyard is considered a limited access site, meaning that the public is not usually allowed to visit or take tours. Nonetheless, there are ways to experience the wonder of the boneyard. Some airplane graveyards offer public tours. The Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, is one such example.

If you find yourself in or near Tucson, don't miss the opportunity to visit Pima Air & Space Museum or take a boneyard tour. The museum is located at 6000 East Valencia Road in Tucson, Arizona.

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), also known as "the boneyard," is a world of its own. Currently, however, due to changes in U.S. Air Force security, the offsite bus tours of the 309th AMARG (aka the boneyard) are no longer available, with no plans to restart. While a physical tour might be out of reach, the Pima Air & Space Museum offers an excellent alternative. They provide an opportunity to learn about the history of AMARG and have a very similar experience viewing rare aircraft outdoors in a desert climate.

Heres a detailed look at the boneyard:

Feature	Details
Official Name	309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)
Also Known As	The Boneyard
Location	Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona
Area	Spans over four square miles
Aircraft Count	Over 4,000 aircraft
Primary Function	Storage, maintenance, and regeneration of aircraft
Access	Limited access; no on-site tours available to the public
Tour Alternative	Pima Air & Space Museum offers tours
Purpose of the Boneyard	Storage of aircraft, aircraft restoration, and the recovery of parts from aircraft to be re-used for other aircraft.

The Pima Air & Space Museum hosts tours of the boneyard. Tours of the boneyard are available on weekdays from the Pima Air and Space Museum, located at 2720 S Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ, 85707. In the past, AMARG bus tours have originated at the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum, phone 520.574.0462, but reservations were required 16 days in advance. However, due to security, those tours are no longer available.

Aircraft Restoration & Marketing (ARM) Boneyard Safari offers a unique opportunity for a different perspective on the boneyard. This tour is located on the grounds of Pima Air and Space Museum and will not include the AMARG (aka the boneyard) located on Davis-Monthan Airforce Base.

Embark on an unparalleled aerial journey with the Boneyard Tucson Helicopter Tour, which offers a rare and exclusive perspective of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), renowned as the world's most extensive aircraft boneyard. For those who want to capture the essence of the Boneyard from above, there's also the option of a helicopter tour that gives you an amazing vantage point.

ABC15's John Trierweiler got to tour the facility that employs around 350 people and has the capacity for more than 400 aircraft.

Heres more information about the Pima Air & Space Museum:

Feature	Details
Name	Pima Air & Space Museum
Location	6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona
Tours	Weekday tours of the boneyard are available (check for current availability)
Additional Features	Displays and exhibits covering aviation history and technology

A fun visit to the massive Tucson Airplane Graveyard, aka "The Boneyard

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