309 AMARG

The cryptic at the top of the posting means the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group . Immediately after World War II, the Army established a storage facility for B-29 and C-47 aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB. Today, this facility is 309 AMARG, which has grown to include more than 4,400 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies including NASA.

With an original purchase price of more than $35 billion, this fleet provides a unique inventory from which military units throughout the world may withdraw parts and aircraft. It's also a flying used car lot for US allies.

The chief reasons for selecting Davis-Monthan as the site for this storage center were Tucson's meager rainfall, low humidity, and alkaline soil. These conditions make it possible to store aircraft indefinitely with a minimum of deterioration and corrosion. In addition, the soil is hard, making it possible to park aircraft in the desert without constructing concrete or steel parking ramps.

In 1964 the Secretary of Defense directed the consolidation of all military aircraft storage and disposition centers into a single entity located at Davis-Monthan. In 1985, the addition of Titan II missiles and the Center's growing capability for restoring aircraft to flying status, prompted a name change to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center or AMARC.

In May, 2007, AMARC aligned under the 309th Maintenance Wing at Hill AFB, Utah and became the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG). Today the Group provides customer services including restoring aircraft to flying status, maintenance, and parts reclamation, in addition to its historic storage and disposal functions.

Rather than present a list, I've clipped photos of some of the sights at Davis-Monthan. Click on any of the photos to get larger versions. Big, weird, cool stuff, yes?