Plane in Tuscon Arizona Travel Magneet

Tucson, Arizona, is not only known for its desert landscapes and rich Indigenous history but also for its deep ties to aviation. The city is home to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, a major U.S. military installation that plays a key role in aircraft storage and maintenance. One of Tucson’s most iconic aviation landmarks is the "Boneyard"—the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)—a sprawling facility where thousands of retired military aircraft are stored in the dry desert air, which helps preserve them from corrosion. This unique site is the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world, and its eerie, endless rows of planes draw fascination from visitors and aviation buffs alike. Just next door is the Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the country. It features over 400 aircraft, from World War II bombers and Cold War-era jets to commercial airliners and experimental planes. Visitors can walk among historic aircraft, learn about aerospace technology, and even tour parts of the Boneyard through guided bus tours (subject to security clearance). Tucson’s clear skies, aerospace heritage, and military presence make it a natural hub for aviation history and technology, blending the legacy of flight with the wide-open spirit of the American Southwest.