How The World's Largest Airplane Boneyard Stores 3,100 Aircraft | Big Business

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group stores thousands of retired military, forest service, and NASA aircraft in the Arizona desert. The massive collection of F-16s, C-5s, B-52s, A-4 Skyhawks, and others would be the world's second largest air force. But the planes don't just come here to die. Parts are reclaimed and entire planes are regenerated so they can go back into service.
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How The World's Largest Airplane Boneyard Stores 3,100 Aircraft | Big Business

[@lbwertheimer5705]

I wouldn’t mind to have a school trip here, lunchtime hide and seek would be lit

[@caminstol2473]

they would never let kids in here, it's too precious, even in video

[@zona2009]

The tour is actually pretty cool

[@rajatyadav9698]

@@caminstol2473 Yeah $35 billion precious

[@FlyingJournalism]

Hahaahahaha..."where's Jimmy", "hes stuck in the engine cowling of the c5"

[@fravioli1320]

It's all fun and games till you get lost

[@10ON10]

*For a person loving aircrafts that place is no less than a paradise...*

[@Mr-pm3jp]

Not nearly as awesome as Paradise Ranch, but there are some JANET 732's in the Boneyard.

[@stevevalerio4968]

The plural for the word 'aircraft' is 'aircraft'. There is no such word as 'aircrafts'.

[@tomasmucha2133]

@@stevevalerio4968 How do you say tomato?

[@muditatrey6295]

For an aircraft loving person**

[@user-ov4sl7wf7r]

iRespect, 🇺🇸

[@marks1638]

One of my old Air Force bosses got into a wee bit of trouble back in the early 70's just after Vietnam, while assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB. His punishment was guard detail as a Security Augmentee for 30 days in the boneyard. It consisted of roaming around the boneyard and reporting in by radio every half hour. He said at the time they still had many WWII and Korean War era aircraft as well as newly retired jet fighters, jet bombers, and multi prop transports. The boneyard was huge and he was put in different sectors on his shifts. At the time he was told there were over 10,000 aircraft crammed into the boneyard. As newer models came in, but older ones were condemned, scrapped for parts, or sold off to other countries. He said it was eerily quiet out there, but there was the constant sound of metal flexing from the hot sun into the cool evenings. Most activity was during the day and his shift was at night. It was just him (and a couple of other augmentees), an occasional maintenance team, and roving SP patrols that made sure no one was sneaking in to steal parts or vandalizing planes. His only other company was the occasional coyote or other desert creatures. Otherwise, it was a quiet punishment.

[@mikefawkes5195]

i just want to do that, would not be punishment at all hanging out at night way out there ,

[@thomashelm6931]

And they paid him to do that. I do it free for a couple weeks. I've got a few old aircraft friends that I used to fly on I'd like to revisit

[@isaiahbair7690]

Sounds like an okay punishment for me since I like quietness and calmness

[@seanfitzgerald9320]

His punishment seems like a dream to me

[@MonsterDOT]

Yeah I want to do that

[@101yota]

I don’t know anything but I’m pretty sure that test flight guy has the best job ever. Sounds like he gets to go out and have some fun with all the planes

[@miguelribancos9925]

Col. Barnard is one of the most down to earth Maintenance Officer I have ever met. I’m a former knuckle dragger crew chief. Interviewed her for a leadership paper while in college when she was a deputy commander of 412th MXG at KEDW. Great lady. I’m happy that she is the commander at AMARG.

[@gmanpvp3329]

Yh sure u were

[@lostinYourReality]

@@gmanpvp3329 it makes sense. Crew chiefs often see commanders a lot because of the nature of their job it’s easy to screw up. Missing tools, damaging the aircraft, etc.

[@gmanpvp3329]

@@lostinYourReality im on bout this miguel guy hes not known her

[@dessullivan668]

Col. Barnard refer's to to the Aircraft as assets which she is correct but i recon that she is an important asset as well.

[@nsbstrong3624]

No you didn't

[@shamrock141]

It's amazing how much time, energy and money has to go into simply maintaining aircraft when they don't do anything, it's honestly surprising airlines like Ryanair are able to turn a profit

[@masterpython]

It's cheap compaired to scrapping them and building new ones when they need them.

[@Deathmastertx]

Well, Ryanair's model is pretty much not to do that most of the time. They operate an all 737 fleet to simplify maintenance and training and they have them in the air for as much as possible, where they make money. It might not be flashy but it's a damn successful model most of the time. Flag carriers and other airlines that operate a larger range of aircraft including long-range ones also try to maximise the time the aircraft are actually in the air. Freight carriers often operate older aircraft like the DC-10/MD-11 and A300 profitably because they spend more time on the ground because they have to link up to the logistics network. While the older aircraft might be too fuel inefficient and lacking in comfort for passenger service, cargo operators can pick them up for cheaper than the alternatives and the fuel inefficiency doesn't matter as much when they spend less time in the air. Generally, airlines don't want to do any sort of bone-yarding like this because that aircraft isn't making them any money. Better to sell or lease it to another airline if it can't be used. But, due to the massive collapse in demand for air travel due to the pandemic, airlines have been forced to do this over the past year. Take a look at photos from Alice Springs. Cathay and Singapore Airlines among others have been plonking even massive aircraft like A380s there to wait it out.

[@uydudanbak]

Yea, most of the ppl could fly with quater of price when i look at these huge waste of everything

[@Deathmastertx]

@@uydudanbak Is your usual choice of carrier the USAF? Do they throw you in the back of a C-130 or perhaps strap you into the weapons bay of an F-35?

[@uydudanbak]

@@Deathmastertx hahaha

[@edjarrett3164]

Having worked at DM for three years, it was always a delight to drive by the rows of aircraft under the AMARG ownership. As a tanker pilot, I also appreciated that numerous replacement parts were coming off retired tankers. It truly is a national resource.

[@juanfigueroa-serville2465]

I hope Colonel Barnard gets her star and more before she retires! Her energy is phenomenal. She is no kill joy! It’s been a privilege and honor to learn of her and her team and what they do. Airline companies must be salivating just awaiting the day she transitions to civilian life.

[@LEON.1717]

💯

[@misterchof48]

Everybody gangsta till you here “Autobots, Roll Out!”

[@xungnham1388]

I too have seen that documentary

[@Kuro-rt4yc]

Lmfaoo

[@Brutusoogabooga]

Lmao

[@danielavila7483]

A part of transformers was filmed here

[@dwarrior7546]

*hear

[@VaytexFX]

Could be a COD map

[@chuckmiggs6703]

It already is...Boneyard

[@doodskie999]

If u played mw2 its one of the missions

[@icescroatman]

Came here for this that campaign mission where theres a lot of juggernauts lol

[@leonelferreira_1]

That would be lit

[@renegade9777]

Soap, DO NOT TRUST SHEPHERD, I repeat, DO NOT TRUST SHEPHERD!

[@tonyparrish2063]

Thank you all for your service and dedication to our country, I love this place and every time I drive up Kolb it is awesome to see the silent work that goes on there, my uncle was stationed at DM several years ago and always said that it may be quiet on the outside looking in but this base is always got something going on. Thank you again.....God bless.... Tony Parrish....... Cochise County AZ

[@jimepley1210]

Stationed at DM with the A10 unit during the eighties. I lived in base housing and ran the perimeter road around the AMARG area every morning. As an aircraft maintainer, I worked on a number of those birds and delighted in seeing them come to a useful end of life.

[@rgs4x]

My Dad landed a C-130 at Antarctica with ski's. Said it was one of the most exciting things he had ever done.

[@burramenteintelectual294]

EU ESFRIEI AQUI COM O SEU COMENTÁRIO! OBRIGADO POR COMPARTILHAR!

[@appa609]

Did it also take off on skis?

[@rpe4115]

@@gregorygrimm5540 People who liked the comment, liked the comment, it doesnt mean their dads did the same.

[@tarnished9108]

@@gregorygrimm5540 why do u think likes means theyre dads did the same thing. Your flat out cooky.

[@wheelywind3189]

Every video has a guy with a dad or brother who was there and did that 😂

[@reneecarter6702]

As a former airframe mechanic, I can literally smell this video. I’m so glad to know these poor birds aren’t going to sit in scrap, but it’s heartbreaking to see the ones that have to stay. (I’d totally adopt one)

[@gamigam6420]

Helped me help my family we are poor and I want to change our life, fund my transport project in my country please😢😥 or give me alms😞

[@AA-bz1pr]

@@gamigam6420 You're clearly doing fine if you can afford WiFi and a device to make this comment

[@zanediezeljuan8999]

@@AA-bz1pr dude just spams this same shit dont listen to the dude

[@sigspearthumb9729]

Yeah just like you know one F-5/T-38 or a A4 or something just one

[@zanediezeljuan8999]

@Darius Mir all i can say is that it was used a ton on the vietnam war

[@alanheath7867]

I was stationed at DM when the storage area was known as MASDC. Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center. Exactly the same job. I was the driver for SO many tours of that space I got to know every plane and their individual stories. Those tours were the best part of being stationed at DM.

[@Literallyarealhuman]

Being a test pilot has to be one of the most heroic jobs on earth

[@sheikhmohsin57]

She didn't have to be in uniform for me to know she had served in military. Her saying 'assets' was proof enough.

[@ulrek54321]

She's still in the military. It's a military facility.

[@chloroplast8611]

Saying assets makes someonw seem like a game dev

[@Brutusoogabooga]

*assets*

[@dahawk8574]

She called it the 'Boneyard'. They used to get deeply offended when you call it that. I guess they've given up fighting it.

[@reculate3332]

@@chloroplast8611 im a game dev

[@timothylongbottem6224]

I live in Arizona and my parents work at the base. I love this episode!

[@vcrazy_diamond]

My dad lives behind the C130s

[@sbeve9820]

most of my family has at some point served at davis monthan

[@TenchuTesshu]

I envy your parents. Working there must be really fun.

[@pagnedaman3777]

Bro me too! I drive past the boneyard and I'm always like 😎

[@timothylongbottem6224]

@Darius Mir yes😎

[@willy6595]

Col. Barnard is AMAZING! Solid, no nonsense professional, laser focused on her tasks at hand. AMAZING WOMAN!

[@camrenwick]

As a British veteran. The US military always amazes me.

[@simon_bush_riley]

US military is pretty amazing except they say abt a story of a girl who was raised by two moms in an army ad

[@JustReed]

Don't the Brits have something similar?

[@Officialrahat]

That place looks pretty fly.

[@weaslelysherbeard6485]

I see what you did there

[@nishhnishh1088]

This comment I give the big like

[@ritemolawbks8012]

REPORTED

[@Gabriel-jg5wh]

Until a huge tornado comes in

[@percyyt7201]

hahahaha...

[@conradmcdougall3629]

Someone will hopefully read this comment. I like airplanes. That is all

[@174b9]

Someone will hopefully read this reply. Tanks are much more cool. That is all.

[@reecedawson6113]

Someone will hopefully read this comment. I like submarines. That is all

[@chiefsossa14]

Someone will hopefully read this reply. Helicopters are much more cool. That is all.

[@sakurauyou749]

Someone will hopefully read this comment. I like battleships. That is all.

[@user-zn2zv6ks9x]

Someone will hopefully read this reply. I like rockets. That is all

[@TurdTM]

Grew up about 20 years in Tucson about 10 minutes from Davis Monthan AFB. Drove by those exact planes almost daily. This video gave me so much nostalgia just seeing Tucson again, thank you.

[@Ichigo_1026]

Great to meet you Col. Barnard. Love to see someone loving their job❤️

[@JM-wd3dk]

Yet another perfect example why we need Right-to-Repair legislation. Reduce,Reuse,Recycle.

[@scootergrant8683]

Imagine if Lockheed came down on the U.S. Millitary for repairing their aircraft.

[@icalledit4335]

I was thinking the same thing. Today's/ future aircraft, each part is probably serialised and can only be used with that particular plane, like the iphone

[@icalledit4335]

@@scootergrant8683 This is already a problem in the military, read www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/opinion/military-right-to-repair.html . ""Here’s One Reason the U.S. Military Can’t Fix Its Own Equipment Manufacturers can prevent the Department of Defense from repairing certain equipment, which puts members of the military at risk""

[@JM-wd3dk]

@@icalledit4335 oof. 😬

[@scootergrant8683]

@@icalledit4335 It is so dumb. I'm sorry suppliers but you are.

[@SellTheBenefits]

Fun fact: During the height of the pandemic, when air travel was near zero, all the major airlines sent some of their unused aircraft down to Tucson for the same preservation reasons the video talks about.

[@kerrykerry5778]

Lots of civilian stock is currently on the ground at Pinal Airpark, on the north end of Tucson.. They are covered with what appears to be a self stick metal foil on windows and other openings. Everything from dozens of American Eagle airlines commuter jets, to wide body large planes that are up on cribbing and being picked to pieces. Really a cool place. If you are in the area, it's well worth a stop, and don't miss the Flight Line Lounge, one of the funkiest bars you will ever see.

[@runeklok]

Can confirm, too many grounded planes in Tucson when I was out.

[@laneson7226]

yep, my dad was one of many, many mechanics that started working civilian airframe mechanic during covid, people from all over the world started contracts at the Pinal Airpark, it was a rough place to be for a while.

[@videodistro]

Not a pandemic. A lockdown. Never done before to healthy people. Did nothing but make things worse.

[@shelleyw4225]

​@@kerrykerry5778 Is this where the United 727 is (was)?

[@nathanielspohn3004]

I grew up driving by this place. There's actually an underpass that cuts through part of it and Davis Monthan AFB is right next to it (air force kid, so we drove by it every time back and forth to the base). Pima Air and Space museum is also pretty close by.

[@av8ionUSMC]

As someone who's been passionate about aviation since age 6, I'm grateful to see many of these a/c receive a second life. The F16 test pilot has an awesome job! All these people do an amazing job though. Be fun to visit and climb in these fine a/c.

[@KB-ke3fi]

Joe Biden doesn't even know where this is. If he did, he'd give them to Russia to rebuild and get 10 million dollars.

[@jayeshratangairi8732]

She clearly knows her trade and damn am impressed with her knowledge

[@genaroflores981]

She’s a colonel for a reason...

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

@@genaroflores981 yes, politics

[@markmezo]

Yep she deserves her rank.

[@glaringoddly7119]

Makarov...you ever hear the old saying...the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

[@hx20games77]

Shadow company vs makarovs army vs price and soap

[@paramvirrandhawa8036]

Give my regards to zakhaev

[@wisnubaeee]

I knew it, i knew somebody will commented this

[@TrzCharlie]

I live very close to this facility and never knew many of the things that were presented in this video. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation.

[@myfavoritemartian1]

I can remember my Dad taking me out to see the Goodyear Scrap Yard. Early 1960's or so. Stacks of WW2 airplanes that were already stripped and ready for crushing or shredding. The most memorable was a stack of F-86 fuselages right out by the fence plus some old Piasecki Helicopters. He would let me walk along the fence until I was tired. A wonderful time for a young boy.

[@johnpitzer5500]

I have been an Aircraft Maintenance Technician for 38 years, and that would be a dream job.

[@TonyisToking]

Sounds like they’d be happy to have you then!

[@amramjose]

And there is no production to speak of (fix it and get it flying people again!)...

[@JaredJanhsen]

Clearly Colonel Barnard has the coolest job in the USAF. One of the coolest military facilities in the united States in my opinion.

[@dessullivan668]

Yeah right in the Desert that's real cool during the Day

[@ethanl440]

@@dessullivan668 the Job is cool the working conditions on the other hand

[@kamranmisri2366]

These aircrafts are bone yard of US army. With the help of these aircrafts USA lost Korea War, Vietnam War, Somalia War, War IN Iraq and now War IN Afghanistan.

[@Infiltrator_]

@@kamranmisri2366 The Korean War ended in a ceasefire with eventually the south gaining more land and the North losing land and more troops. During the Vietnamese war the Americans achieved its objectives of halting Chinese influence and preventing the domino effect. The US military was also limited by engagement rules. They weren’t allowed to send troops into the North yet still managed to win nearly every battle. The Paris agreement was signed and both the North and South agreed to end the war so the USA and its allies left. The North BROKE that treaty and invaded the south. The US didn’t come back to help because 90% of the public was against the war since the start and the guy who said he’ll help wasn’t in office anymore. The Gulf war 1991 was because Saddam invaded an American ally Kuwaiti and the Saudi’s asked for protection due to fears of invasion by Iraq. Kuwaiti asked for American help on live TV. The US got involved and ended up winning the war by 1993. The war in Afghanistan was because of the war on terror of the 9/11 attacks. The US went into Afghanistan because the Taliban run country was harbouring Osama and allowing radicals to operate on its soil. The US easily defeated the Taliban in 2001. It was until 2008 Al Qaudia was eliminated and until 2012 Osama was killed. They succeeded and achieved those goals. The next 20 years were also spent rebuilding Afghanistan and preparing them to fight the war ALONE. Trillions were spent, gave them an airforce and army. Take the 300% GDP increase as an example. The US in 2019 ended the war with the Taliban through a treaty and now Afghanistan was responsible to fight on its own. America can’t be fighting Afghanistan’s war for them. They withdrew thinking Afghanistan was ready but were wrong. The ANA collapsed and the government fled the country. Keep in mind that for 20 years the Taliban couldn’t do shit. The Taliban lost every single offensive and defensive against coalition forces. It was NATOs nation building objective that failed not its military efforts. Iraq war 2003 while the war was wrong and shouldn’t have happened. The US won the war and took the Capitol extremely quickly. Saddam was also killed by the US. You’re ignorant and shouldn’t be talking on stuff you have no idea about. The US won the Gulf war and the Iraqi war indefinitely. The US military efforts in Vietnam were successful but its political efforts failed. The US military succeeded in Afghanistan but the US failed to rebuild Afghanistan. It’s astounding how people like you are so comfortable to spew bullshit and misinformation. Please I’m begging you to never come back to these topics without doing some research.

[@Infiltrator_]

The war in Somalia was a UN mission to help fight famine. It was never a war or an invasion. Please I’m begging you just stop.

[@dereenaldoambun9158]

The A-4 Skyhawk! 😭😭😭 Such a beauty.

[@yaboidspdadon5838]

This is a relief we have so many back up planes

[@sougata8332]

So this is place where the Autobots have been hiding waiting for Optimus's call

[@solomoniuss7756]

that would be cool hehe...as far i remember from old cartoons of transformers one was actually f14

[@adamstokes]

I'm inspired by that commander. She takes her job seriously and loves what she does. Nice!

[@screddot7074]

My first assignment in the Air Force was R & M (the junk yard) at Clark AB, Philippines, the largest AF base overseas at the time. These areas have an entirely different life than most people would believe. We kept a tow bar fro a B-52, including performing periodic maintenance, in the junk yard, in case there was an emergency landing of a B-52. B-52s were banned from the PI, but there were lots of flights from Guam to Vietnam, so we needed to be prepared. We also received a lot of excess equipment from Vietnam including the famous planes that sprayed agent orange. Those planes were cut up and the material disposed. Other equipment was demilitarized and sold as scrap to local contractors. Metal of any kind is very precious in that area. We had so much, the contractors ran out of money, so we had to store equipment until they could clear their inventories. In many cases, the waste of the government is overwhelming, but as usual, when Americans are given the chance, they can do amazing things. My favorite re utilization was a group of school desk to the Nun that ran the leaper colony school.

[@jet6619]

I have been to Clark AB on a TDY. I didn't know that stuff about B-52s, that's awesome. I currently work here at AMARG. The TDY happened in 2008? I was with the 63rd AMU from Luke AFB, we met up with a Marine unit with Harriers. From my understanding, it was the first since the volcano blew. I might be wrong on that.....

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

April 17, 022----Did 10 in the Air Force, from 71 to 81 and it's SO strange seeing all the planes that were state of the art when I was in, now retired and many made into drones to be destroyed by those at Eglin. When I got out, the "teenagers" were just starting to reach front line units such as the F-14, F-15 and A-10....now stored there. Got into building models (mainly planes) and Monogram came out with a 1/48 scale, glass nosed B-25. He made a diorama out of it with a pamphlet to go with the unbuilt kit. It's sitting in a desert somewhere, waiting to be either sold or chopped up for scrap metal. Thanks for the video and while I never made it to the base back when I drove truck, I did spend some time at Pima Air Museum which has a lot of different aircraft on display.

[@user-ev4ed4li7d]

SN: I absolutely love her attitude. Thank you for your service Col. ❤️

[@stevenzin5834]

I always love to see people (regardless of what they do) having fun and being proud of who they are as a person in position. That seems simple, but it's rarely the case in real life.

[@puravida5683]

You have to see it, to believe it! I'm retired Army living in Costa Rica. Whenever I visit family in Tucson, I drive on base for another visit.

[@williamwingo8952]

I drove past Davis-Monthan in 1968 on the way to USAF Navigator School in Sacramento, and vaguely remember a sort of "presentation row" along the perimeter road. Abut a year later, I went through D-M for some training as one of the first navigators going into the back seat of the F-4. The B-47s had just been phased out, and they were all over the place. Still later as an operational "fighter-gator," I stopped at D-M many times. I remember seeing the B-58s all lined up on the ramp awaiting their fate. Now of course most of the remaining the F-4s are there, too.

[@peter6782]

I relay enjoyed this, it's so sad to see aircraft on the ground just waiting to die, seeing them maintained and more than likely flown again is great !

[@nzgamelife323]

In building demo controled demolition is only used in 2% of the cases because of its high probability to go wrong, it's extreme difficult to get a building down in even 1.5X it's footprint, so difficult it's only 2% of demolitions, but could we not just get these to flying condition, they don't need to be safe, just fit remotes and we good. Buy NY math we can get 3 buildings for every two planes. That's, Millions of dollars saved. Environmental cost lowered. Free Entertainment for the public. Plus you could just Say terrorists did it for an extended resource gathering consent in the middle east, when the sad Kuwaiti girl story starts running thin. Your welcome.

[@life2thefullest869]

I drive by them everyday to get to work it’s pretty cool looking

[@trvman1]

Fix up the old f-15 and f-16s that are no longer in service and give them to Ukraine once the war is "over". Those older model planes will still be enough to deter Russia from trying anything again.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Changi Airport

[@cb2000a]

The saddest story is the fate of the F-14. Retired before it's time because of politics.

[@goodluckokereke]

Just pulled up this place on Google maps and it's truly amazing.

[@jontolar6838]

I work about a mile from the boneyard, sometimes I drive by it on lunch just because it’s so cool.

[@dhananjay4025]

Damn

[@navret1707]

Seeing the bone yard always brings a tear to my eyes. Especially when I see aircraft I used to fly in. I logged over 4000 hours in P-3s over 20+ years and I hate it that they’re in the bone yard.

[@SOU6900]

The fact that there are F4s there is amazing. Wonder if they have any Tomcats laying around.

[@blackpowder13]

5 or 6 waiting to go to museums last time I checked (a while ago)

[@SOU6900]

@@blackpowder13 F4s or Tomcats?

[@clarkbeamish8336]

Went there for a tour several decades ago. I'm still impressed by the scale and dedication of the staff who work there.

[@visorij3374]

how old are u ?

[@clarkbeamish8336]

@@visorij3374 Went there for a tour in 1996 while attending a conference.

[@xandermurdock6131]

"Ghost! Come in, this is Price! We're under attack by Shepherd's men at the boneyard! Do not trust Shepherd! I say again, do not trust Shepherd!"

[@tempustempus9073]

Roger

[@vincentvergelsercedillo7382]

I think dis is the same footage boneyard MW2

[@t.gojirafanstudios5853]

Price: SOAP GET DOWN

[@mooooo1974]

Price: "Shepherd, where is the plane sauce!?" "Yes sir, sorry sir."

[@susmithasabe4147]

Man of culture

[@jhuff6857]

I drive by this several times a week. Still amazes me every time!

[@warriorfb2010]

I could spend a week there and would never leave. That test pilot I think has everyone's dream job.. lucky s.o.b

[@randyavenido3110]

I'm so so proud to be here last 2016 at davis-monthan airforce base, tucson, arizona. All the guys working at amarg and the military personnel were so kind. Massive thanks and more salute to you all sirs!.... Stay safe always.... God bless...

[@donnyb3452]

I drove past this site in the early 70's. It seemed to go on for miles, the scale is unimaginable.

[@tessat338]

Fabulous aeronautic museum at Davis-Monthan Airforce base. It is well worth the trip and can take the whole day. My husband and I went there pre-pandemic. FYI, you cannot take a backpack on this bus tour to see the boneyard. You'll have to check your backpack in a locker before getting on the bus.

[@bobkoskovics2530]

You got the greatest job in the world and everything to look forward to good job

[@dontuno]

Great to see someone who is passionate about their job and I'll bet she knows that field and its "assets" like the back of her hand. Fascinating to see so many planes that apparently still have worth despite (in some cases) being over 50 years old.

[@cr8786]

I live in Tucson and have driven by parts of the boneyard....it is very impressive! I had no idea how complex AMARG is!

[@guitarzan31]

When I was stationed there they started a Boneyard 5k around Halloween. Never was a fan of running, but if you’re going to do it, running around the Boneyard was a pretty neat place to do it.

[@Starz_nSky]

I lived there when my ex was stationed on base. Brings back some memories!!! Would like to see it again and take then tour.

[@alexp3752]

Amazing! As an airline industry veteran and a specialist in fleet management, I am more than impressed! Great job, Colonel!

[@tcu1099]

I love driving by this. It's super cool. Can't believe I've lived here this long and still haven't been.

[@jarhead4801]

Great video. My favorite all time aircraft is the F-4 Phantom. Not sure where it stands based on overall performance, but loved seeing it fly during my youth and early military years. Thank you to the folks that help maintain this facility, and for sharing this video. USMC Ret.

[@lorriemcgee5562]

I worked there when they were being turned into drones, it broke my heart.💔😞

[@davidrobins4025]

A fascinating description of what is stored in the Arizona desert. Thanks for enlightening us.

[@joegonzales5358]

Shout out to Tucson putting Arizona on the map!I remember almost getting arrested in front of the base cause my high ass made a wrong turn🤦🏻‍♂️

[@edwardhawley9645]

WOW! It is so cool to see the AMRG yard again! I used to live on Calle Polar, right next door to this place! Used to drive by it all the time!

[@jaswindersaini2604]

i have been here in 2016, its a amazing place and love the aviation museum along with this site, that offers the bus ride to this boneyard

[@kevinerosa]

Shoutout to the AMXS 354th bulldogs. Was "lucky" enough to do the chock walk to the fuel barn in the boneyard. DM was a good time.

[@Miamcoline]

Awesome to see people enjoy what they do and do such a stellar job.

[@yokiyoki1412]

Honestly looks like a fun place to go to and visit.

[@vcrazy_diamond]

Tucson has an Air and Space museum and it's very similar to this.

[@xmrpaintx1]

Unless you have military ID or a family member with one you probably won't be able to get on base, but you can actually see a good portion of the planes from the road.

[@JudyJudyJudy44]

Actually you leave on the tour of the boneyard from the museum ... good duo visit day.

[@Thankz4sharing]

Look up Pima Air & Space Museum. You need to make reservations ahead of time to take a bus tour of the boneyard that leaves from their site. I don't know if the tours are still in operation during Covid restrictions. The museum is completely separate from the boneyard and it's very much worth a visit itself. It takes hours just to walk by every aircraft there. If you want to spend time on each one it could take . . . well, forever. Cool gift shop, too.

[@brian_zx6r]

Ahh the boneyard, I fly here everyday!

[@billsplibbins]

In the 80s I was an Air Force Law Enforcement Officer in the K-9 unit stationed at Davis Monthan then the area was called "MASDAC" which stood for "Military Aircraft Storage and Distribution Center. I and my K-9 patrolled this area overnight which was eerie because of the wind sounds, smells and shadows bouncing off the aircrafts. I have many memories working in this area so wanted to share a couple with you all. In the 80s during the cold war this center was tasked with the ability to put a stored B-52 in the air every 24 hours for at least 2 years and we had them. We also had many civilian passenger jets stored there because some of those planes shared parts with their military version. Such as the commercial jet 707 and E-3 S entry, E-8 Joint STARS. It is cheaper to maintain planes if you have your own plane pick and pull. And I totally believed we could launch those B-52s and distribute plane parts anywhere around the world at any time. At times, very, very few times because me and fellow officers patrolled this large area, I would find a plane or helicopter with a door seal broken and when I opened the door to look in, I would smell 1940, 1950, 1960,1970 smells. You could feel it, smell it, see it and at 2, 3, 4am in the morning it could be eerie. I would then board the aircraft looking for suspects, damage or evidence but of course while waiting for my sarge I would look around. I found pictures from the 50s, 60s, 70s and letters, maintenance logs, manuals, journals, flight logs and more. To read these materials and again smell them and to see individuals handwriting was eerie. One last thing, we would get alerts a plane a was coming in for a crash landing, then we secured the flight line for security and safety. In those situations, we had crews foam the runway, firetrucks on the runway and I witnessed planes land on their belly. One of which lowered its landing gear and the starboard side gear fell off on while in flight. He raised what was left of his gear, went around and landed on the foamed-out runaway. Those pilots were a little crazy. I don't know this for sure, but I think a lot of those pilots flew in their own planes for storage.

[@EGoRBHD130]

As someone from Africa who is fascinated with American Military vehicles and aviation. I could spend whole day in this place just looking at everything.

[@bukasb]

At David-Monthan, there are 3 former TWA 707s the last of their kind just sitting in the back of the storage facility. It would be amazing to see them saved and restored to a museum piece.

[@ricbonillasjr2567]

There is museum air Pima next to base

[@brandanpresley5]

Currently awaiting parts coming from here. Cool to see the actual process

[@matthewbrown2801]

thanks for sharing im sure a lot of these plans can be advanced and put into service again.

[@bobbyhood33287]

I have always wrongfully assumed, once they go to the boneyard they are forgotten. Amazing, not only are they not forgotten but they know about pretty much every part of the planes. Amazing lady, also knows the nicknames for the planes.

[@rickye3481]

it’s crazy to think I’ve been Passing thru this my whole life thinking it’ was a normal thing that they have in every state or city lol

[@ijpmac]

What's the deal with the subtitles? they tell me a whole different story!

[@abbynarishkin9025]

They have been fixed! Thank you for letting us know they were the wrong ones.

[@AQuestioner]

@@abbynarishkin9025 How did you install another video's subtitles to the video? Are they done automatically through KZbin or manually to fit with the dialogues? 2021-03-02

[@airbornewarningandcontrols396]

@@AQuestioner not 100% sure but they might have pasted the wrong transcript into the subtitles bar since they probably due alot of subtitling and that gets mixed up from time to time

[@abbynarishkin9025]

@Lol Bruh She was deployed to both Turkey and Afghanistan

[@janetyeoman1544]

Nearby Pima Air Museum is well worth the visit. Endless aircraft outside and inside huge display hangers. The volunteer guides are well versed and professional. 🇨🇦

[@alexmartinez5859]

Well that was a surprise. Every shot of the A-10 being repaired in the hangar, was from an A-10 that comes from the local Air National Guard in my hometown. Those things fly over my house all the damn time, because we’re on the flight path into the local airport and base. It’s always interesting to see them outside of the skies and on some sort of screen.

[@chkwgn460]

Battle Creek, MI by chance?

[@alexmartinez5859]

@@chkwgn460 Fort Wayne.

[@chkwgn460]

@@alexmartinez5859 oh gotcha. I used to deliver jet fuel to Battle Creek where there were A-10s. Had no idea they were in Ft Wayne. That's cool.

[@n721sw]

It broke my heart to see the KC-10A at the boneyard. Never thought I'd see the day. Barksdale KC10 crew chief 1990-1994

[@kidtexas2]

I know. Im a current KC-10 Crew Chief at Travis

[@jamram9924]

@@kidtexas2: Travis was nothing but C-5Bs back during the 90s. Then changed from MAC to AMC and the massive base closures changed the composition of many USAF bases, Davis Monthan is actually much smaller mow than it was back in tu early 2000s. Congress has threatened to close many times before.

[@n721sw]

@@kidtexas2 are they still doing the dedicated crew chief program? I was assigned to 84-0188 most of my time.

[@kidtexas2]

@@n721sw 4188 is a McGuire tail now. i have no idea if they are at McGuire but at Travis?? Yes. They are bringing back nose art so we should see some new designs in retrospect to the older ones. Not sure when but hope before full retirement of the KC-10. Only Travis jets are in Al Dhafra at the moment. McGuire pulled theirs a little while back. Im a ACC on 79-1948 at Travis

[@n721sw]

@@kidtexas2 Ha! Good ole Al Dhafra! I was there in 93, long hours with no days off but we stayed in hotels and ate great, the biggest shrimp that I have ever seen! It’s great to hear that they are bringing the nose art back, it will be neat to see if they use any of the original art. The AF was awesome in the early 90’s, but things started changing and I got out. Still some of my best times in life, TDY all over the world. Hickam 8 times!

[@williamkiefer1792]

Please accept my apologies for this lengthy “war story,” but I believe it’s relatable to the video. I hope you enjoy it. During our unit’s transition in the early 90s from the mighty Phantom to the Viper, our mission required continued sortie production with the F-4 and training on the F-16 to become combat capable. As you may imagine, parts, especially serviceable parts, or the F-4 were difficult to acquire. A Phantom returned from flight with flight control problems involving the lateral system. We began troubleshooting, and discovered the right aileron could not return to neutral. We rigged and rigged, but we were forced to look for the “culprit.” Keep in mind that the Phantom didn’t enjoy the luxury of the fly-by-wire systems. Other than the hydraulic actuators, the system was all mechanical linkage: push-pull rods, bellcranks, screwjacks, cables and pulleys. And don’t EVEN get me started on the engineering genius that was the artificial feel trim system which incorporated the use of a bellows. But I digress. We finally identified a problematic bellcrank under panel 88 R (?) if memory serves and immediately and .hopefully order an overhauled replacement. Nopity nope. The request went to AMARC (at the time it was the Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center.) The jet was closing in on Hangar Queen status and we needed that bellcrank mosh skosh. This particular bellcrank was pretty darn finicky to remove as no one on our team ever removed one before. Even the engineers at depot claimed they’d never heard of one being removed before. It had to be twisted, turned, moved and your mouth had to be held just right in order for that thing to come out. When we heard the bellcrank would be coming from AMARC, our outlook was dismal. We doubted a part from an aged, retired double-ugly would be in much better condition than the unserviceable culprit we removed from a (somewhat) perfectly good jet. Plus the time it would take just to remove the thing from a jet in the desert put us at a disadvantage. The *ahem* new bellcrank arrived and initial examination made us even less hopeful. We pursued and the bellcrank slipped in surprisingly easy. We connected everything up and rigged the lateral system, and while there was some improvement, we had to do a little fine tuning with the linkage, primarily the screwjack. I don’t recall if the jet required a functional check flight (FCF) but it did correct the initial discrepancy. And we avoided Hangar Queen status! Well done, AMARG/AMARC!

[@BlueOvals24]

Don't ever apologize for a story like that, good sir! And thank you for your service!

[@georgestokes5116]

loved the f4

[@johanabbink6389]

ok

[@kabirsingh7630]

What's your age

[@Blue-kc6mh]

good story

[@magelanscrossfinest5123]

its always so amazing seeing big thing flies specially this one, its massive beast flying outthere

[@saddletramp6935]

Thank you! Lots of memories of planes I used to watch fly.

[@marshall0792]

The Pima Air and Space Museum used to offer tours of “The Boneyard” 10 or so years ago. I don’t know if they still do. But the one thing I remembered from back in 2005 was the Guillotine. A massive 10 Ton metal Blade dropped by a crane used to slice fuselages in half.

[@seshansmith]

They have their own museum. The actual boneyard is on base and you can't go on there

[@abletona6123]

I went on a field trip to the Davis monthan air force base once. They called it starbase and we were introduced to STEM in a kids way over five days. On the third day it was my turns group to go see the boneyard. I remember thinking the planes were like giant buildings, and we even got to go inside one a cargo plane

[@redginaldsanders6122]

Great Video and Col. Barnard is an excellent Commander who, quite obviously, is not intimidated by her Awesome responsibility. Wow, she would be a Truly wonderful "Story Teller" if she ever had the time to sit down an Relate her marvelous History!!

[@3pleblow]

I've been thinking alot about these old Blackhawks we've been receiving from the US It's good to know they're not wasting all of these stuff.

[@55oblivion55]

Im a German aircraft mechanic, we do lots of C-Checks (very in-depth) and this is literally my dream place haha :)

[@donfrandsen7778]

I always wondered about this base/maintenance yard.. .ingenious and effecient , really cool storage and reserve , regeneration and renovation back into inventory and full service, thats so cool Very Impressive crews , it appears our Air Forces are larger than we see at first hand!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@mia1shooter]

1:28 F105 Thunderchief and F4 Phantom

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

My dad was at Travis in the 60th C5 maintenance for almost 25 years. I can’t believe they’re in the bone yard now.

[@Tom-ju2ny]

The amount of collective aircraft knowledge and skill at this facility is mesmerizing.

[@inlangford]

3:07 they know what they're doing!

[@AA-bz1pr]

No way, who would've thought the US military is experienced?!

[@Gabriel-jg5wh]

Until a huge tornado comes in

[@realonthecircuit]

YC-14 being one of my favorite aircraft, I take this personally.

[@jedidaforce2595]

They forgot to mention one interesting fact: if all the planes were operational, the boneyard would be the second largest Air Force in the world. Growing up as kid in Tucson, the boneyard was my backyard view. It’s what inspired me to join the Air Force. My fiancée is from DC and thinks Eastside Tucson looks like a war zone because all day long you hear and see jets flying around, and it’s almost daily that you’ll see like 10 or more attack helicopters just cruising the sky together. There’s a major road that runs along the base called Golf Links, and all day and night long you just have planes flying over you. People who aren’t used to it are always amazed and in awe when they see the aircraft flying that close to them… Any true fan of aviation/aircraft has to go watch the Davis-Monthan Air Show at least once in their life.

[@lorriemcgee5562]

Exactly! 😊

[@williamcappiello6225]

Great report. You can tell she takes pride in her job

[@all2jesus]

She's probably just there for the 50/50 thing.

[@simonpeter008]

I absolutely loved watching this piece of historic information ! As a new aviation enthusiast, this was super informative !

[@ppgwhereeverett4412]

At 2:00, the LC-130s belonged to VXE-6 at Point Mugu, Calif. Flew with them as a Guest numerous times, Pt. Mugu to North Island , San Diego, 1973-75. A GREAT plane !! At 2:17, that's a TA4-J and I flew with those at VF-126 at NAS Miramar, same time frame !

[@wildcat4478]

I’m from Tucson, AZ. Indeed, the weather in AZ is great to protect aircrafts (metals and engines) from oxidation and corrosion. If you’re on kolb and golflink then heading South to Valencia street. The boneyard is on your right 🇺🇸