An aircraft boneyard or aircraft graveyard is a storage area for aircraft which are retired from service. Most aircraft at boneyards are either kept for storage continuing to receive some maintenance or parts of the aircraft are removed for reuse or resale and the aircraft are scrapped . Boneyard facilities are generally located in deserts such as those in the southwestern United States , since the dry conditions reduce corrosion and the hard ground does not need to be paved. In some cases, aircraft which were planned to be scrapped or were stored indefinitely without plans of ever returning to service were brought back into service, as the aviation market or the demands of military aviation changed or failed to develop as was anticipated.
71-594: The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), often called The Boneyard , is a United States Air Force aircraft and missile storage and maintenance facility in Tucson , Arizona, located on Davis–Monthan Air Force Base . The 309th AMARG was previously Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center , and the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center. The 309th AMARG takes care of nearly 4,000 aircraft, which makes it
142-595: A 13,000 pound guillotine winched by a steel cable supported by a crane. Later on, the tool of choice became K-12 rescue saws. This more precise technique afforded AMARC with salvageable spare parts . In May 2007, the AMARC was transferred to the 309th Maintenance Wing , and the center was renamed the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). There are four categories of storage for aircraft at AMARG: AMARG employs approximately 500 DoD civil servants and 200 contractors. The 2,600-acre (11 km) facility
213-499: A GSU under AFRC's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base is equipped with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and Guardian Angel personnel. The 943 RQG is tasked to provide combat search and rescue (CSAR) and personnel recovery (PR) support worldwide. The 924th Fighter Group , originally a classic associate unt to the 355 FW, now 355 WG, flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II and is now equipped with its own aircraft. Perhaps
284-554: A halt on 14 August 1945, when the Japanese surrendered. Davis–Monthan played a post-war role by housing German POWs from June 1945 to March 1946. It also served as a separation center, which brought the base populace to a high of 11,614 in September 1945. With the end of the war, operations at the base came to a virtual standstill. It was then that the base was selected as a storage site for hundreds of decommissioned aircraft, with
355-463: A military aircraft accident completing a training mission on December 28, 1921, while a passenger in a Curtiss JN-6HG at Carlstrom Field , near Arcadia, Florida . One other person, William C. Sinclair, was also killed. They were hunting ducks at the time; Sinclair was piloting and Davis was shooting. After a funeral at the home of his parents, Davis was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson. He
426-552: A move in 1927 to the site which is now Davis–Monthan Air Force Base. The City of Tucson acquired land southeast of town for a runway and dedicated the field in 1925. Charles Lindbergh , fresh from his nonstop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, flew his Spirit of St. Louis to Tucson in 1927 to dedicate the airport at Davis–Monthan Field, then the largest municipal airport in the United States. Military presence at
497-532: Is a United States Air Force base 5 miles (4 nmi; 8 km) southeast of downtown Tucson, Arizona . It was established in 1925 as Davis–Monthan Landing Field . The host unit for Davis–Monthan AFB is the 355th Wing (355 WG) assigned to Twelfth Air Force (12AF), part of Air Combat Command (ACC). The base is best known as the location of the Air Force Materiel Command 's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG),
568-560: Is adjacent to the base . On average, AMARG annually returns approximately $ 500 million worth of spare parts to military, government, and allied customers. Congressional oversight determines what equipment may be sold to which customer. An aircraft going into storage undergoes the following treatments: On average the Group annually receives 300 aircraft for storage and processes out about the same number (with 50 to 100 of those returning to flying service). Aircraft that fly again either return to
639-483: Is generally a cheaper way of getting more aircraft into service than buying new ones, and saves the United States billions of dollars annually. The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Tucson, the largest facility of its kind, is colloquially known as "The Boneyard". Other nations' central aircraft storage facilities include the Russian Air Forces ' Bases for Reserve Helicopters. Due to
710-525: Is hard so that the aircraft do not sink into the ground. Aircraft storage at Davis-Monthan Field began when the 4105th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Aircraft Storage) was organized in 1945, to house Boeing B-29 Superfortress and Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft. Davis–Monthan Field was chosen because of Tucson 's low humidity, infrequent rainfall, alkaline soil, and high altitude of 2,550 feet (780 m), reducing rust and corrosion. The hard soil makes it possible to move aircraft around without having to pave
781-692: Is now part of the Total Force Enterprise, and is the only unit-equipped both active and classic associate fighter group in Air Force Reserve Command's inventory. With oversight of the 47th Fighter Squadron, 924th MS, and 924th OSF, the group is charged with working with the Regular Air Force's 355th Fighter Wing to functionally integrate with the 355th Operations Group and 355th Maintenance Group to conduct A-10 pilot training at Davis–Monthan AFB. Davis–Monthan
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#1732781136972852-600: Is the sole formal training unit for the A-10 aircraft, providing initial and recurrent training to all U.S. Air Force A-10 and OA-10 pilots, to include those in the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the Air National Guard (ANG). The 355th is ACC's executive agent for INF and START treaty compliance. In October 2018, the 563rd Rescue Group , previously a geographically separated unit of
923-492: The 23rd Wing at Moody AFB , Georgia, was transferred to the 355th Wing, along with its HC-130J COMBAT KING II and HH-60G Pave Hawk aircraft. One of the wing's tenant units, the 55th Electronic Combat Group (55 ECG), is a geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 55th Wing (55 WG) at Offutt AFB , Nebraska. Tasked to provide offensive counter-information and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces,
994-549: The 390th Strategic Missile Wing on 30 June 1984. One site under the 390 SMW, known both as Titan II Site 571-7 and as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8, was initially decommissioned in 1982. Located approximately 12 miles (19 km) south of Tucson in Sahuarita, Arizona , it was saved from demolition and turned over to the Arizona Aerospace Foundation, a nonprofit organization which also administers
1065-451: The 868th Tactical Missile Training Group (866 TMTG). The 868th was the only U.S.-based Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) unit and the source of the crews that staffed the forward deployed GLCM wings in NATO in 1982. On 1 September 1982, the headquarters of the 602d Tactical Air Control Wing (TAIRCW) and its subordinate 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS), a unit responsible for
1136-509: The A-7 Corsair II aircraft, was activated at the base and the previously assigned F-4s were moved to Luke AFB , near Phoenix, Arizona . On 1 October 1976, the base was transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC) after 30 years under SAC, with SAC's 390th Strategic Missile Wing becoming a tenant command of the base. It was also that year the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing accepted the first A-10 Thunderbolt II . Since 1979, D–M has been
1207-679: The Lucky Lady II ' s crew received the Mackay Trophy , given annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the outstanding flight of the year, and the Air Age Trophy, an Air Force Association award, given each year in recognition of significant contributions to the public understanding of the air age. In 1953, the jet age came to Davis–Monthan when SAC units on the base converted to
1278-412: The Lucky Lady II , a B-50A of the 43d Bombardment Wing, completed the first nonstop round-the-world flight, having covered 23,452 miles (37,742 km) in 94 hours and 1 minute (249.45 mph). Lucky Lady II was refueled four times in the air by KB-29 tankers of the 43d Air Refueling Squadron, which had made only one operational air refueling contact before the mission. For this outstanding flight,
1349-691: The Pima Air and Space Museum immediately south of Davis–Monthan AFB. With a variety of items on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force , including an inert Titan II missile, Site 571-7 is now known as the Titan Missile Museum and is one of two remaining examples of a Titan II missile site in existence (the other being located at Vandenberg Space Force Base , California; site 395-C). In 1994,
1420-640: The United States Air Force as independent service four months earlier, the facility was renamed Davis–Monthan Air Force Base . On 30 June 1948, the Air Force activated the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron, whose KB-29Ms were newly equipped with aerial refueling equipment purchased from the British firm FRL. The 43rd ARS, along with the 509th ARS at Walker AFB , New Mexico , was the first dedicated air refueling unit in history. On 2 March 1949,
1491-626: The University of Arizona in Tucson . After enlisting in the military in 1917, he was briefly assigned to Fort Hauchuca in Arizona before being transferred to College Station, Texas , to complete his academic studies. He returned to the military after graduation in 1918, assembling airplanes at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas . He trained pilots during the first World War , including some pilots who took down German planes. He reached
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#17327811369721562-417: The aircraft boneyard for all excess military and U.S. government aircraft and aerospace vehicles. Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a key ACC installation. The 355th Wing (355 WG) provides A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support and OA-10 forward air controllers to ground forces worldwide. The 355 WG is the host unit, providing medical, logistical, mission and operational support to assigned units. The 355 WG
1633-501: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial air transport , demand for commercial aircraft storage increased dramatically in 2020. Furthermore, many aircraft which had initially been planned for short term storage were ultimately stored long term or even scrapped altogether, requiring maintenance work to prepare the planes for the different plans. As demand recovery behaved differently from expectations, temporary shortages as well as
1704-423: The 355 FW, the 924 FG currently flies the same Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft. The 924 FG consists of the 47th Fighter Squadron (A-10C), 924th Maintenance Squadron, 924th Operational Support Flight. Between October 2013 and March 2014, the 924 FG transitioned from being a "classic" associate unit when it gained 28 A-10 aircraft of its own from Barksdale AFB , Louisiana. The 924th
1775-428: The 355 WG, equipped with HC-130 aircraft and HH-60 helicopters. At the same time, the 41st and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons were realigned under the control of the 55th Electronic Combat Group (55 ECG). While personnel and aircraft remained on Davis–Monthan AFB, operational control of the 55 ECG was assumed by the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB , Nebraska . Another major wing realignment occurred on 1 October 2003, with
1846-979: The 355th Wing again realigned and now falls under the 15th Air Force Headquarters at Shaw AFB, SC . On 1 October 2021, the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron was activated at David-Monthan to provide test and evaluation of new tactics, techniques and procedures for the EC-130H Compass Call and HC-130J Combat King II . The host wing at Davis–Monthan is the 355th Wing , which includes: The 355 OG consists of six squadrons and over 450 personnel employing A-10 aircraft and an AN/TPS-75 radar system. It provides war-fighters with forces for close air support (CAS), air interdiction (AI), forward air control (FAC), combat search and rescue (CSAR), ground-based tactical air control, and airbase operations. It also conducts all formal course directed aircraft initial qualification/ re-qualification training. All active duty aircraft assigned to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base carry
1917-402: The 55 ECG unit employs its Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call aircraft worldwide in tactical air operations in war and other contingencies. It also provides initial and recurrent training to all EC-130H Compass Call pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, and aircrew. Two other major tenant units are assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). The 943rd Rescue Group (structured as
1988-704: The Afghan population as it struggled with its emergent democracy , and provided key support during national elections. While the 2003 deployment saw limited action, the Bulldogs employed over 22,000 rounds of 30 mm during 130 troops-in-contact situations during the 2005 deployment. Returning to Afghanistan in April 2007 for another six-month deployment, the 345th again provided 24-hour presence and Close Air Support expertise to coalition forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, insurgent activity level
2059-478: The Air Force's tactical air control system west of the Mississippi River transferred from Bergstrom Air Force Base , Texas, and stood up at D–M, bringing 16 OA-37B aircraft and numerous new personnel to the base. The 23rd TASS became the Air Force's first O/A-10 squadron in 1988, providing heavily armed airborne forward air control (FAC) capability for the first time. Unlike all other D–M aircraft at
2130-439: The Air Force. The Navy had operated its own boneyard at Naval Air Station Litchfield Park at Goodyear , Arizona, for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft. In February 1965, some 500 aircraft were moved from Litchfield Park to Davis–Monthan. NAS Litchfield Park was finally closed in 1968. In the 1980s, the center began processing intercontinental ballistic missiles for dismantling or reuse in satellite launches, and
2201-461: The Davis–Monthan until 1976, when the 100 SRW was inactivated, its DC-130s transferred to Tactical Air Command 's 432d Tactical Drone Group, and its U-2s transferred to SAC's 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (9 SRW) at Beale Air Force Base , California , where U-2 Dragon Lady operations were consolidated with SR-71 Blackbird operations. On 15 June 1964, Davis–Monthan's 303d Bombardment Wing
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2272-738: The U.S. military, U.S. government agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard , U.S. Forest Service , and NASA , or are sold to allied governments under either the Foreign Military Sales program of the Arms Export Control Act , or the Excess Defense Articles program of the Foreign Assistance Act . AMARG is a controlled-access site, and is off-limits to anyone not employed there without the proper clearance. From April 2013 onwards
2343-646: The US government. The facility has also received US-made foreign military aircraft such as the Boeing CC-137 (from RCAF for use in the E-8 JSTARS program) and the Lockheed CP-140A Arcturus (2 from RCAF). The arid climate of the region makes the 309th AMARG an ideal location for storing aircraft, as there is very little humidity in the air that would corrode metal. Furthermore, the surface
2414-417: The United States, England, and Korea . During this period, the 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing deployed Airborne Forward Air Controllers in their OA-10 aircraft to Operation Desert Storm , providing nearly 100 percent of this capability to the war. On 1 October 1991, the 355 TTW was redesignated as the 355th Fighter Wing (355 FW) in tune with the Air Force's Objective Wing philosophy. The 355th Fighter Wing
2485-421: The activation of the 4105th Army Air Force Unit . The 4105th oversaw the storage of excess B-29s and C-47 "Gooney Birds." Tucson's low humidity and alkali soil made it an ideal location for aircraft storage and preservation, awaiting cannibalization or possible reuse—a mission that has continued to this day. The Cold War era was ushered in at Davis–Monthan on 21 March 1946, with the installation placed under
2556-533: The activation of the 563rd Rescue Group (563 RQG) on Davis–Monthan AFB. Control of the 48th, 55th, and 79th Rescue Squadrons (RQS) was passed to the new group with the 23rd Wing (23 WG) at Moody Air Force Base , Georgia assuming operational command of the unit. In 2003 and 2005, the 354th Fighter Squadron (354 FS) "Bulldogs" deployed on five-month deployments to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. During these deployments, they provided 24-hour presence to reassure
2627-495: The aircraft are called back into active duty. The parts along with the stripped aircraft may be sold to other countries. Depending on the demands of the military or for commercial purposes, an aircraft or a whole squadron of the aircraft may be put back into active duty. The aircraft have to be reconditioned and tested so they will be airworthy. The reconditioning process includes putting in new avionics, electronics, safety measures, testing, and painting. Reconditioning of old aircraft
2698-462: The base and assumed responsibility for all U-2 operations, emphasizing long-range strategic reconnaissance and intelligence collection. As a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit, the 4080th was later redesignated the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and also acquired Lockheed DC-130 Hercules aircraft for launch and control of Firebee reconnaissance drones that were the precursors of contemporary unmanned aerial systems. The DC-130s and U-2s remained at
2769-411: The base became known as Davis–Monthan Army Air Field on 3 December 1941. U.S. Army Air Forces leaders then utilized the airfield for heavy bomber operation, sending Douglas B-18 Bolo , Consolidated B-24 Liberator , and Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers, for training and observation missions. Among the bombardment groups trained at the base during the war: Training at the airfield came to
2840-780: The base had hosted an annual 10K/5K run/walk which was open to the general public. AMARG has been used as a filming location in several films and television productions, despite security. The most recent and notable of these is Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen . The exterior scenes of the Smithsonian set were actually filmed in the Boneyard. AMARG was featured in an episode of TNT 's The Great Escape . 32°10′N 110°51′W / 32.16°N 110.85°W / 32.16; -110.85 Aircraft boneyard Some yards are privately owned and operated, others belong to
2911-610: The base. The base was named in honor of World War I pilots Lieutenants Samuel H. Davis (1896–1921) and Chief Engineer Oscar Monthan (1885–1924), both Tucson natives. Monthan enlisted in the Army as a private in 1917, was commissioned as a ground officer in 1918, and later became a pilot; he was killed in the crash of a Martin B2 bomber in Hawaii on March 27, 1924. First Lieutenant Samuel Howard Davis (November 20, 1896 – December 28, 1921)
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2982-454: The claimancy of the recently established Strategic Air Command (SAC). SAC's presence at the base began in the form of the 40th and 444th Bombardment Groups, both equipped with B-29s. As part of the postwar austerity, these groups were later inactivated, with the personnel and equipment being consolidated into the 43d Bombardment Group in October. On 11 January 1948, with the establishment of
3053-445: The early 1940s, when military requirements began to require the relocation of civil aviation activities. Davis–Monthan Airport became Tucson Army Air Field in 1940, as the United States prepared for World War II . The first assigned U.S. Army Air Corps units were the 1st Bomb Wing, 41st Bomb Group and 31st Air Base Group, activating on 30 April 1941 with Lieutenant Colonel Ames S. Albro Sr. as commanding officer. In its military role,
3124-552: The field began when Sergeant Simpson relocated his fuel and service operation to the site on 6 October 1927. He kept a log containing names of the field's customers, including Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart , Benjamin Foulois , and Jimmy Doolittle . Doolittle, awarded the Medal of Honor for his 1942 Tokyo raid , was the first military customer at the field on 9 October 1927. The combination of civil and military operations worked well until
3195-426: The forward battle area and behind enemy lines. This capability added yet more strength to the wing's combat capability. The 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron "Bats" are part of the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB , Nebraska , but operate out of Davis–Monthan. In addition, the 42d Airborne Command and Control Squadron arrived from Keesler AFB , Mississippi on 19 July 1994. On 1 May 1992, senior Air Force leaders implemented
3266-439: The initiation of three ongoing missions: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). After Operation Enduring Freedom, eight A-10s from the 355 WG were called to Bagram Airfield , Afghanistan , to fly close air support missions supporting multinational ground forces. In September 2002, the 48th , 55th , and the 79th Rescue Squadron 's (RQS) transferred under control of
3337-501: The largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world. An Air Force Materiel Command unit, the group is under the command of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base , Utah. The 309th AMARG was originally meant to store excess Department of Defense and Coast Guard aircraft, but has in recent years been designated the sole repository of out-of-service aircraft from all branches of
3408-448: The military including the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona . After aircraft are put into boneyards, many are stripped of useful parts. Engines as well as most electronics, munitions, and wiring to be removed are recycled or kept in warehouses. The parts may serve as replacement parts for aircraft which are still flying or they may be used for reconditioning if and when
3479-482: The most prominent tenant is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG) of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). As the main location for the 309 AMARG, Davis–Monthan AFB is the sole aircraft boneyard for excess military and U.S. government aircraft and other aerospace vehicles such as ballistic missiles. Tucson's dry climate and alkali soil make it an ideal location to store and preserve aircraft; more than 4,000 military aircraft are parked on
3550-486: The new Boeing B-47 Stratojet . The 303d Bombardment Wing , Medium, was initially established on 27 August 1951, and activated at Davis–Monthan AFB on 4 September 1951. The wing operated B-29s until January 1952, when it was equipped with KB-29s. On 20 January 1953, the 303d transitioned to the Boeing B-47 Stratojet for its three bomb squadrons, while an additional air refueling squadron equipped with KC-97s
3621-568: The newly established Air Combat Command (ACC) on the same date. Following Operation Desert Storm, the 355 WG supported Operation Southern Watch during deployments to Al Jaber, Kuwait, in 1997 by deploying 24 A-10s, in 1998 by deploying 16 A-10s, and in 1999 by deploying 14 A-10s—all to ensure compliance of the 33rd parallel southern no-fly zone. The flight and mysterious crash of Captain Craig D. Button took off from Davis–Monthan Air Force Base on 12 April 1997. The attacks on 11 September 2001, led to
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#17327811369723692-414: The policy of one base, one wing, one boss. The 836 AD and 602 TAIRCW inactivated (the later on 15 June 1992) while the 41 ECS and 43 ECS came under control of the 355 FW. With the mission diversified, the 355th Fighter Wing was re-designated as the 355th Wing (355 WG). On 1 June 1992, Tactical Air Command was inactivated and all aircraft, personnel and installations previously under TAC were transferred to
3763-633: The rank of Second Lieutenant . Davis was honorably discharged from the military about 1919 with the rank of First Lieutenant in the reserve corps . For a time he worked commercial aviation as a manager with the Arizona Aviation Company, where he piloted Orioles and standard manufacture airplanes. Davis married Marjorie Cameron of San Antonio in 1920. Davis returned to the Army Air Service in August 1921. He died in
3834-614: The requirement to prepare planes for long term storage after a few months of short term storage caused issues. Planes that have been stored for a few months can not be brought back to service on short notice. The longer planes are stored, the more time it takes to get them fully airworthy and ready to fly again. Bringing a narrowbody aircraft back from long term storage takes roughly 40 worker hours while widebody aircraft require roughly 100 worker hours. Davis%E2%80%93Monthan Air Force Base Davis–Monthan Air Force Base ( DM AFB ) ( IATA : DMA , ICAO : KDMA , FAA LID : DMA )
3905-550: The site was declared a National Historic Landmark . In 1987, the 71st Special Operations Squadron , an Air Force Reserve unit flying HH-3 Jolly Green Giants, was activated at the base. While it served after the invasion of Kuwait in Desert Shield/Storm, it did not survive the end of the Cold War drawdown, and disbanded in 1992. In the 1990s, the 355 TTW continued to train A-10 crews for assignments to units in
3976-484: The storage areas. In 1949, after the Air Force's creation as a separate service, the unit was redesignated as the 3040th Aircraft Storage Depot, and later 3040 Aircraft Storage Squadron. On 1 Jun 1956, the 3040 Aircraft Storage Squadron was discontinued. In 1965, the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center was organized and tasked with processing aircraft for all the United States armed forces , not just
4047-485: The strategic modernization program, Titan II systems were to be retired by 1 October 1987. Deactivation began at Davis–Monthan on 1 October 1982. During the operation, titled "Rivet Cap", the missiles were removed and shipped to Norton AFB , California for refurbishment and storage. Explosive demolition began at the headworks of missile complex 570–7 on 30 November 1983. In May 1984, the 390 SMW's last Titan II at Davis–Monthan came off alert status. SAC subsequently inactivated
4118-456: The tail code "DM". The 563rd Rescue Group is part of the 355th Wing. It includes the following squadrons: The 924 FG of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) was reactivated in 2011 and initially assigned to Davis–Monthan AFB as an "associate" unit to the 355 FW flying the A-10 aircraft. As part of the Air Force Reserve Command, it is also a geographically separated unit (GSU) of AFRC's 944th Fighter Wing (944 FW) at Luke AFB , Arizona. Like
4189-566: The time, the 23rd TASS fleet's tail flash read "NF", for "Nail FAC"; the squadron's radio call sign was "Nail". In 1984, as a result of the first series of Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties START I between the United States and the Soviet Union, SAC began to decommission its Titan II missile system. In 1982, the 390 SMW began removing its 18 missiles and inactivating the associated sites in preparation for eventual demolition. In October 1981, President Ronald Reagan announced that, as part of
4260-430: The training location for pilots in the A-10; the base was redesignated the 355th Tactical Training Wing on 1 September 1979. The organization was later redesignated the 355th Fighter Wing since it includes operational, deployable A-10 squadrons in addition to its CONUS training mission The 1980s brought several diverse missions to D–M. The headquarters charged with overseeing them was now the 836th Air Division , which
4331-518: The unit transitioned into F-86Ds followed by a transition to F-86Ls in the fall of 1957. In the spring of 1959 the unit received Northrop F-89J interceptors which it flew for only a year when it transitioned into McDonnell F-101Bs . On 24 December 1964, the 15th FIS was inactivated. In 1962, the Strategic Air Command 's 390th Strategic Missile Wing (390 SMW) and its 18 Titan II ICBM sites around Tucson were activated. The 390 SMW
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#17327811369724402-483: Was a pilot and United States Army Air Service officer. Born to Sam and Effie Davis in 1896 in Dyer County, Tennessee , Davis was known by his middle name, Howard. He attended public schools in Tucson. As a young man, his hobbies included horseback riding and shooting; he was a good marksman. Davis enrolled at Texas A&M College in 1915 as a student of mechanical engineering, having previously attended
4473-435: Was activated 1 January 1981. The AD advised Air Force component commanders and land forces on A-10 aircraft tactics, training, employment and readiness, and subordinate units participated in exercises such as Red Flag and Celtic Echo. The 41st Electronic Combat Squadron equipped with the EC-130H Compass Call aircraft, arrived on 1 July 1980, and reported to the 552d Airborne Warning and Control Wing . In 1981 D–M welcomed
4544-445: Was activated. As of October 2020, the 355 FW is composed of four groups: the 355th Operations Group (355 OG), the 355th Maintenance Group (355 MG), the 355th Mission Support Group (355 MSG), and the 355th Medical Group (355 MDG). Along with their tenant organizations, they make up the 6,100 airmen and 1,700 civilian personnel at Davis–Monthan AFB. The 355th Fighter Wing was re-designated 355th Wing on January 2, 2019. On 20 August 2020,
4615-547: Was assigned to the wing between 18 February 1953, and 1 February 1956. A standard SAC Alert Area ramp was constructed in the southeast corner of the base adjacent to the runway and the 303d assumed nuclear alert responsibilities when final conversion and checkout in the B-47 was complete. In April 1953, the Air Defense Command 's (ADC) 15th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was activated with F-86A Sabres . A year later,
4686-428: Was composed of the 355th Operations Group (355 OG), the 355th Maintenance Group (355 MG), the 355th Medical Group (355 MDG), and the 355th Mission Support Group (355 MSG). In May 1992, the 41st and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons , flying EC-130H Hercules Compass Call arrived. The aircraft carried an airborne battlefield command and control center capsule that provides continuous control of tactical air operations in
4757-693: Was inactivated as part of the retirement of the B-47 Stratojet from active service. The year 1964 brought back the combat crew training mission of the World War II years with the 4453d Combat Crew Training Wing of the Tactical Air Command equipped with the Air Force's newest and most sophisticated fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II . In July 1971, the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing , flying
4828-647: Was one of only three Titan II missile wings in SAC and represented the heaviest land-based missile and the largest single warhead ever fielded by U.S. strategic deterrent forces. In July 1963, the 4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Wing , equipped with U-2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, began flying global missions from Davis–Monthan. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963, the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Laughlin AFB , Texas, relocated to
4899-606: Was renamed the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) to reflect the expanded focus on all aerospace assets. In the 1990s, in accordance with the START I treaty, the center was tasked with eliminating 365 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The progress of this task was to be verified by Russia via satellite and first-person inspection at the facility. Initially, the B-52s were chopped into pieces with
4970-549: Was survived by his widow, his parents, and a brother, Wilton. Davis's father was in attendance at the 1925 dedication of the base, as was Governor G.W.P. Hunt , who spoke at the dedication. In 1919, the Tucson Chamber of Commerce aviation committee established the nation's first municipally owned airfield at the current site of the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. The rapid increase in aviation activities meant
5041-481: Was the highest recorded to date in OEF. The Bulldogs employed an unprecedented number of munitions during this deployment—over 150,000 rounds of 30 mm in support of over 400 troops-in-contact situations. On 26 April 2007, the 355th Wing was re-designated as the 355th Fighter Wing (355 FW) with only A-10 fighter aircraft assigned. Also in 2007, the 214th Reconnaissance Group (214 RG), an Arizona Air National Guard unit,
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