Over 4,000 retired aircrafts in the world's biggest military aircraft graveyard – also known as "The Boneyard."
If you're really into military aviation history, you might just have a trip to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group on your bucket list. There are reportedly more than 4,400 retired aircrafts in the world's biggest military aircraft graveyard – also known as "The Boneyard."
Located near Tucson, Arizona's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the four-square-mile Boneyard earned its nickname by being a source of spare parts and resting place for disposed-of airframes. In addition to 13 aerospace vehicles, you can find one of virtually every aircraft from any U.S. military branch since World War II, including nuclear-capable ones.
Besides refurbishing planes, the Boneyard opens its gates for public tours where visitors may actually witness planes getting taken apart. The surrounding dry climate helps the aircraft remnants not to deteriorate as quickly.
The original value of all the Boneyard's aircrafts is around $35 billion. While some claim it's a waste of tax dollars, $11 is earned back from salvaged parts for every $1 invested in the Boneyard's operations.
