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Davis–Monthan Air Force Base

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Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Shannon R. Smith. · Public domain · source
NameDavis–Monthan Air Force Base
CaptionAerial view of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group boneyard.
LocationTucson, Arizona
Coordinates32, 09, 59, N...
TypeUnited States Air Force base
Built1927
Used1927 – present
ControlledbyAir Combat Command
Garrison355th Wing

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a major United States Air Force installation located southeast of downtown Tucson, Arizona. It is the home of the 355th Wing, an Air Combat Command unit that provides A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support and Combat Search and Rescue capabilities. The base is globally renowned for hosting the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world, often called "the boneyard." Its unique Sonoran Desert climate makes it ideal for long-term aircraft storage and has shaped its pivotal role in American military aviation.

History

The site's origins trace to 1927 when the city of Tucson, Arizona purchased land for Tucson Municipal Airport, named in honor of local World War I pilots Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan. With the onset of World War II, the United States Army Air Corps took control, establishing a training base for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator crews. After the war, it transitioned to a Strategic Air Command base, hosting B-29 Superfortress and later B-47 Stratojet bombers during the Cold War. The base was officially designated in 1950 and later became a key site for Tactical Air Command, with the arrival of the A-10 Thunderbolt II in the 1970s solidifying its modern mission.

Units and operations

The host unit is the 355th Wing, which operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters under Air Combat Command. The wing's subordinate groups include the 355th Operations Group, 355th Maintenance Group, and the 355th Medical Group. The most distinctive tenant is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, a component of the Air Force Materiel Command, which manages the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center. Other significant tenants include the 563rd Rescue Group, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), and the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, which conducts F-16 pilot training for allied nations.

Facilities and infrastructure

The base encompasses over 10,000 acres, featuring a single 13,000-foot runway capable of handling all current military aircraft. The most prominent facility is the vast storage area of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, which holds thousands of aircraft from the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and other government agencies like NASA and the Coast Guard. Other key infrastructure includes the 355th Wing's maintenance hangars, weapons storage areas, the Murphy Theater, and extensive housing and support facilities for military personnel and their families.

Environmental and community relations

Situated in the Sonoran Desert, the base actively manages environmental concerns, including the conservation of native species and compliance with the Endangered Species Act. It maintains a long-standing and generally positive relationship with the surrounding Tucson, Arizona community, participating in local events like the annual Tucson Rodeo and air shows. The base is a significant economic driver for the region, and its operations are conducted with attention to minimizing noise and other impacts on the neighboring population centers in Pima County.

The base's iconic "boneyard" has served as a dramatic backdrop for numerous films and television productions, most notably in the climax of the 1984 movie Top Gun and in scenes from the 1996 film Independence Day. It has been featured in documentaries by networks like the Discovery Channel and the History Channel, often highlighting its role in aircraft preservation and recycling. The visually striking rows of stored aircraft have also made it a frequent subject for photographers and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

Category:United States Air Force bases Category:Buildings and structures in Tucson, Arizona Category:Airports in Arizona