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The iconic overhead image of B-52s lying broken in the desert is a result of America complying with terms of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (START). In order to count the B-52Gs as deployed strategic delivery vehicles under START USAF teams cut up the 39 aircraft between October 2011 and December 2013. Each cut section was placed on a cradle 30 degrees off center, and at least six feet apart, enabling it to be viewed and counted by Russian satellites. (photo via AMARG)
New AMARG Book Marks 75th Anniversary of the Boneyard
Noted aviation authors Jim Dunn and Nicholas A. Veronico have released a new book on the military aircraft storage operation in Tucson, Arizona – just in time for the facility’s 75th anniversary. Named for the unit which operates it, AMARG is the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and is home to more than 3,000 air- and rotor-craft stored on behalf of the U.S. military and a variety of customers.
A brief recap of the facility’s first 75 years leads readers into a photographic look at some of the more interesting aircraft in storage. Beginning with “The Business of Aircraft Regeneration,” the book features more than 175 color photos separated by bombers and patrol aircraft; attack, fighters and MiG killers; helicopters, tankers, trainers, and transports; and special use aircraft. There is a separate chapter showcasing the Centennial of Naval Aviation paint scheme airplanes at are now in storage, as well as a “What Happened to ____?” chapter that examines the fates of the YAL-1 Airborne Laser Test Bed 747, Blue Angels F/A-18 No. 7, and the XC-99 cargo version of the B-36 Peacemaker.
The 80th and final F-14A that was ordered by the Shah of Iran in 1974 never made it outside of the United States. Held before delivery when the Shah was forced to leave Iran, F-14A 160378 was sent to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage pending resolution of ownership. When ownership was passed to the US Navy the Tomcat was converted into NF-14A 160378/220 for assignment to the Naval Weapons Test Squadron at NAS Pt. Mugu. It would be retired back to AMARG on August 21, 2000, and is now one of the ten Tomcats remaining in storage. (photo by Jim Dunn)
The reclamation of parts is one of the primary missions of AMARG, and that can be no more important than when it comes to supporting a very long serving aircraft fleet such as the KC-135R. As can be seen here KC-135R 58-0008, from the 133rd ARS of the New Hampshire ANG, has donated a substantial number of parts to other Stratotankers since its retirement to AMARG on July 10, 2013. Currently there are 14 KC-135Rs in storage to go along with the numerous other KC-135 models at AMARG. (photo by Jim Dunn)
The iconic overhead image of B-52s lying broken in the desert is a result of America complying with terms of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (START). In order to count the B-52Gs as deployed strategic delivery vehicles under START USAF teams cut up the 39 aircraft between October 2011 and December 2013. Each cut section was placed on a cradle 30 degrees off center, and at least six feet apart, enabling it to be viewed and counted by Russian satellites. (photo via AMARG)
Lockheed P-3C-II was delivered to VX-1 on Oct. 10, 1977. For its first 30 years of service, 160291 flew with VX-1, VP-30, VP-11, with assignments to the Naval Air Development Center and the Naval Air Warfare Center – Aircraft Division, before it was modified at Waco, Texas, to EP-3E configuration. After modification, 160291 spent the rest of her career with VQ-1 based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. She arrived at AMARG on Dec. 16, 2014. (photo by Nicholas A. Veronico)
The last multi-role Lockheed S-3 Viking would conclude its Navy service and be retired to AMARG on January 8, 2016. Though once considered for the civilian role of a firefighting aircraft, there are no longer any Vikings in operation. Despite this fact 108 are still being held in storage at AMARG. At the head of this lineup is S-3B 160139 which last served with the ‘Blue Wolves’ of VS-35, and was retired on March 16, 2005. (photo by Jim Dunn)
The final upgrade to the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet featured an enhanced cockpit, structure, engines, as well as a new radar to create the F/A-18A++ model. Now equipped with former US Navy F/A-18Cs the ‘Cowboys’ of VMFA-112, a Marine Reserve squadron based at NAS/JRB Ft. Worth, Texas, retired F/A-18++ 162848/01 to AMARG on July 24, 2019. (photo by Jim Dunn)
The last North American F-86 in storage at AMARG is being held for the National Museum of the US Air Force. After first serving with the Republic of China Air Force on Taiwan, F-86F 55-5026 was returned to the US at NAS China Lake to supply parts for the QF-86 drone program. It was then obtained for display by the Budd McGhee Airpark in Inyokern, California before being sent to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio for the USAF Museum. It was delivered to AMARG on October 31, 2008. As can be seen it will present a formidable challenge to the museum that takes on its restoration. (photo by Jim Dunn)
While assigned to the 405th TFW at Clark AB, Philippines, commanded by then Col. Chuck Yeager, Martin B-57B 52-1545 was based with the 8th Bomb Squadron flying combat missions from Da Nang AB and Tan Son Nhut AB, in South Vietnam. In 1968, it was sent to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) at Davis-Monthan AFB before being converted to an EB-57B and assigned to the 134th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron with the Vermont ANG. She returned to MASDC for retirement on December 2, 1981. (photo by Jim Dunn)
In a previous era, the Beech T-34C Turbo Mentor would be viewed as a very desirable entry level warbird, and judging by the prices commanded by the few in the civilian market the taxpayer would be seeing a nice return on their investment. Those days however are long past and this group with T-34C 161802/802, from TAW-5 at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, at the head of this lineup will bring only a small return on the dollar when they go to the scrapper after the final few T-34Cs still in service are retired. (photo by Jim Dunn)
Maj. Wilbert “Doug” Pearson successfully launched an anti-satellite, or ASAT, missile from a highly modified F-15A Sept. 13, 1985 over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He scored a direct hit on a satellite orbiting 340 miles . (USAF photo)
F-15A 76-0084 sits in storage with its wings removed that are keeping another Eagle in the air. Its current state belies its significant contribution to aerospace history. In 1985, then-Major Wilbert “Doug” Pearson Jr. (later Major General, USAF retired), a Vietnam combat pilot was commander of the F-15 Anti-satellite Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB, California. The culmination of the Combined Test Force was the September 13, 1985, flight when Pearson, flying at Mach 1.22 pulled back on the stick putting the Eagle into a 65-degree zoom climb. Reaching 38,100 feet and decelerating to Mach 0.934, computers on board the Eagle calculated the firing solution and launched an 18-foot long (5.48 meters), 20-inch diameter (50.8 centimeter), three-stage ASM-135 missile that killed the Solwind P78-1 satellite flying 345 miles above the Earth.
In 2007, F-15A 76-0084, now known as Celestial Eagle, was assigned to Homestead Air Reserve Base and the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida ANG. Pearson’s son, Air Force Capt. Todd Pearson, flew the aircraft on September 13, 2007, to commemorate the achievement. Three years later, on August 19, 2010, Celestial Eagle arrived at AMARG for storage. There is still hope that this aircraft can be preserved. (photo by Nicholas A. Veronico)
The once mighty Consolidated Vultee XC-99 is now laid out like a giant jigsaw puzzle on the desert floor at AMARG. The one and only cargo version of the B-36 Peacemaker, XC-99 43-52436 with the capacity to carry 100,000 lbs of cargo, was operated by the USAF from 1950 to 1957. Retired to an open area on the backside of Kelly AFB, Texas it remained intact until a controversial decision in 2004 by the USAF Museum led to it being dismantled and moved over a four-year period to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Beginning in 2012 it was moved once again, this time to the Arizona desert for storage. It now sadly appears that no amount of good intentions, or the magic of a great restoration team, will ever see this giant whole again. (Nicholas A. Veronico Collection)
Fuselage sections from the XC-99 sitting forlornly at AMARG in December, 2020. (photo by Jim Dunn)
AMARG: America’s Strategic Military Aircraft Reserve is softbound, six by nine inches, 98 pages, and retails for $24.95. Available from Casemate Publishers
The front and rear cover pages from Jim Dunn and Nicholas A. Veronico’s newly-published book celebrating the 75th anniversary of the ‘Boneyard’. (image via Nickolas A. Veronico)
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
