Comprehensive Guide to Aircraft Boneyards and Storage Hubs

This resource provides a detailed overview and mapping of aircraft "boneyards"—specialized storage and reclamation facilities—located across the United States and globally. It covers the historical context of post-WWII disposal and the operational nature of modern commercial and military storage.

✈️ Military Aircraft Boneyards

The Post-WWII Surplus Era

Following the conclusion of World War II, the United States faced an unprecedented surplus of aviation hardware. During the conflict, the U.S. produced approximately $\approx 294,000$ aircraft. Once peace was established, the military had to manage a massive inventory of redundant machinery.

Within a single year, roughly $34,000$ planes were transferred to 30 different sales-storage depots. It was projected that the total number of aircraft designated as surplus would reach $\approx 117,210$.

The Disposal Process: If an aircraft was not purchased from depots like Walnut Ridge AAF, Cal-Aero Field, or Kingman AAF, it underwent a strict decommissioning process:

1. Removal of all classified information.
2. Physical destruction via industrial guillotines.
3. Smelting the remains into metal ingots.

Modern Military Storage

Today, when Navy, Marine, or Air Force aircraft become operational obsolete, they are either slated for disposal or preserved for potential future reactivation. These assets are primarily housed in the arid climate of the Arizona desert.

Caption: Long-term storage at the AMARG facility.

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), managed by the Air Force Materiel Command, operates the largest facility of its kind globally, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.

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🏢 Commercial Airliner Storage & Reclamation

Commercial aircraft have finite operational lifespans. When they are temporarily removed from service, they require specific environments to prevent degradation.

Preservation Techniques

To shield aircraft from the harsh effects of solar radiation and wind, technicians use white, reflective materials to seal:

• Engines
• Windows

This sealing process allows a plane to remain in a state of "stasis" for several years, making it possible to either return the aircraft to active flight status or salvage it for parts.

The Role of Western Boneyards

Facilities in the Western U.S. are multi-functional. Their primary goals include:

• Temporary storage
• Routine maintenance
• Parts reclamation (harvesting usable components)
• Final scrapping

The 2020 COVID-19 Impact

The global pandemic caused a catastrophic decline in air travel. This resulted in a massive surge of grounded commercial fleets worldwide, filling boneyards with aircraft that were otherwise still airworthy.

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📍 Major Storage Facilities in the Western U.S.

The Western U.S. (specifically Arizona, California, and New Mexico) hosts seven primary boneyards. These sites are chosen for their low humidity, dry desert air, and expansive runways.

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🗺️ U.S. Storage & Reclamation Sites by State

Below is a comprehensive list of facilities categorized by state.

{
  "facility_type": "Storage and Parts Reclamation",
  "region": "United States"
}

• Arkansas
  • Arkansas International Airport (BYH): Operated by Aviation Repair Technologies (ART) for heavy maintenance, short-term storage, and disassembly in Blytheville.
  • Stuttgart Municipal Airport (SGT): Storage and disassembly handled by CAVU Aerospace.
• Arizona
  • Kingman Airport (IGM)
  • Pinal Airpark (MZJ)
  • Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
  • Davis-Monthan AMARG
• California
  • Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV)
  • San Bernardino Intl Airport (SBD)
  • Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV)
• Florida
  • Bob Sikes Airport (CEW): Parts reclamation via Qwest Air Parts, Inc. in Crestview.
  • Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): Operated by Avocet MRO Services, Inc. (includes MRO, engine services, and lease returns).
• Kansas
  • Dodson International: General aviation and helicopter salvage in Rantoul.
• Maryland
  • Aberdeen Proving Ground: Storage for military helicopters and miscellaneous aircraft.
• Mississippi
  • Greenwood-Leflore Airport (GWO): Reclamation for major carriers (e.g., FedEx, United, Southwest) located south of Memphis.
  • Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP): Storage and reclamation via Universal Asset Management.
• Missouri
  • Harry S Truman Regional Airport: General aviation storage via White Industries Inc. in Bates City.
• North Carolina
  • Laurinburg-Maxton Airport (MEB): Commercial reclamation via Charlotte Aircraft Corporation.
• New Mexico
  • Roswell International Air Center (ROW)
  • Hondo Aerospace LLC: Specialized aircraft storage.