Today's Air Force: At the Boneyard

Before I leave this earth, I am going to visit this historic site! It is so hard watch them scrap those awesome planes!

I was there in October. Yes, you can visit the boneyard but it has to be on an official tour from the Pima Museum. The aircraft in storage there ARE NOT rotting. Some are being used for parts while some are in mothballs in the event they are needed to be restored for operational duty. Some of the C-5s will be converted into C-5Ms. This is NOT a junk yard. It's an aircraft storage facility. Older, worn out aircraft are cut up for scrap but there are airframes there that will fly again. The "boneyard" is actually a reclamation center.

I cry when I see the F-111 in such a state.  These are incredible aircraft and it would seem to me they deserve better.

I grew up a few blocks from the main gate at D-M, back in the 70's. I used to love taking the MASDC (Now AMARG) tour. Now you have to go to Pima Air and Space Museum and buy tickets, but back then you just had to get to the Security office good and early, sign up and wait for the clunky old USAF school bus to take you on tour. Back then, there were still quite a few WW2 and Korea era planes in the mix, as well as modern test aircraft that had gone into mass production. The prototype 707 was one of my favorites. If you get a chance to visit the place, you should.

A trip there is on my bucket list.

Great that they invite the public.

The F-4 Phantom has always been to me an airframe of striking beauty.  This was a very entertaining piece.  Thank you.

Stationed at DMAFB for 3 years. I loved going to the "Boneyard" and looking at all the planes.

Great job in bringing the mission of the 'boneyard' to light. Lots of good information, history, and photography. Thanks everyone for all your hard work.

I grew up there and left in 89. yes there is still ww2 aircraft there. makes me think of home when I see pictures of the boneyard.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to drive by the bone yard my whole life. I dont know which is more magical, having to opportunity to see such history everyday or knowing tha my father TSgt William R. (Ted) Estes jr retired from DMAFB after 20yrs of honorable service.

horrible to see such great aircraft with such great history sitting there like that..

So many great aircraft with proud histories ...

the F-4 was such an awesome plane not to mention how sexy it looks its sad to see them being turned into targets

I remember looking down at "The Boneyard" from Mt. Lemmon as the sun reflected off all those aircraft. It was like a very large mirror reflecting the sun. 

The F-4...the last of the real steam locomotives...RIP old friends. Norm

Thanks Matt!

Very well done Video.. Been to the Boneyard once and hope to go back again soon. 

As a kid in the 80s I built most of the aircraft here. I was at my VA hospital few months back and a worker was walking out with a model,  I stopped him, asked him about the 6 turning & 4 burning,  said a vet that few on one built it. Probably knew his number was coming. .

Excellent! Brings back lots of memories. The time lapse was exceptional!! Nice job, Mr. Breese!!