AMARC

On 04/29/04 I took a tour of AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson AZ. Although I was born at Davis-Monthan and had lived in Tucson until 1982 I had never visited the facility. I do remember going to Kindergarten in the early 60's and having to stop just inside the main gate as they towed a C-124 or a KC-97 or another relic from the flight line to the storage areas. These photos were taken from inside the tour bus on a very windy and dusty day so I apologize for the quality of the images. I did not write down all the information from the tour so some of the images are not identified or may be identified incorrectly. If you know the name or have a correction for me (or have tidbits of info to share about an aircraft in particular), please let me know by sending an email to brian "@" thorn.org. Although I was an AF Brat and could name you everything in the AF inventory by the time I was 12 years old, I haven't kept up over the years so there may be some blatant mistakes in here.

If you have more interest in this facility you can reach their official website HERE.

If you would like information on taking the tour yourself, take a look HERE.

The wash rack. All storage aircraft are brought out of storage every four years, stripped of their protection, washed, tested, and then put back into storage for another four years. They are also inspected every 180 days to check their protection from the elements.

Rows upon rows of F-16 Falcons/Vipers.

Center wing sections for the A-10 Warthogs.

A gaggle of A-10 Warthogs. 60 of them are being put back into service due the war in the Middle East.

Some of the 700+ F-4 Phantoms at the facility.

Wing pylons for the B-52. These are configured to hold the Cruise Missile.

"Celebrity Row" where one of each model in storage is displayed.

A "bagged" F-18, a former Presidential "Marine One", and the chopper that pulled John Glenn from the ocean after his historic flight. The "bagging" of an aircraft is more of a Navy thing than the Air Force and allows them to get to the aircraft easier to obtain parts.

Other shots of the helicopters. The blades are removed due to the high winds in the desert.

Tell me what it is. C-130's in the background.

YC-14. One of two produced. Not produced due to funding cuts.

YC-15. Also one of two produced for the same competition. Engines have been removed.

AV-8B Harrier and an A-6 Intruder

A-7 Corsair. I believe this one was flown by John Glenn to set a speed record.

F-14 Tomcat and an F-100 (?)

F-102 (?) and an F-4

F-4, A-8 (?), and an F-16

F-16 and (?)

(?)

"Looking Glass" EC-135. At least one of these were airborne somewhere in the world 24 hours a day for more than 29 years. My dad flew a few missions with them. Details on the program can be found HERE.

FB-111 Aardvark. This type of aircraft was used to bomb Khadafi's tents in Libya. The aircraft on the right is equipped with electronic jamming equipment as well as other goodies.

A-10 Warthog. One of the ugliest and most respected aircraft in action today. No tank is safe from its weaponry.

More F-4's in the background.

Navy anti-submarine hunter/killer. Model (?)

A 707 / C-135 used by Special Operations Groups for insertions into foreign airports. Unknown where it actually served.

Did I mention that they have a few F-4 Phantoms stored here?

(?) and a 727. The 727 was the only one ever in service by the Air Force and its role has not been disclosed.

Model (?). Used for Forward Air Control and attack in Vietnam.

Some of the B-1 bombers being stored here. C-141 Starlifter in the background.

(?) Note the nose.. electronics warfare.

Various trainers. T-37(?) in the foreground. These are just now going into storage and began arriving in quantity in April of 2004.

Commander's aircraft out of Hickam Field, Hawaii.

B-52 Stratofortress. Some models have been flown by the same family; grandfather, son, and grandson or granddaughter. 71,000 lb bomb load capability. It is estimated that the BUFF (ask someone who knows) will remain in service until at least 2040 and possibly until 2052, almost one hundred years from its conception.

A Cessna 337 twin-engine Forward Air Controller, a recon drone, and a Mig-killing F-4 Phantom.

Look close on the intake and you will see five yellow and red stars signifying five Mig kills.

Oh yeah, in case I forgot, they have a few F-4 Phantoms here.

Some of the helicopters in storage.

One is "bagged", one is "spray lat" in an experiment to see which protects better. It was so windy (40 mph) this day that you could barely see the mountains (Santa Catalinas) in the far background.