It has evolved into "the largest aircraft boneyard in the world".
With the area's low humidity in the 10%-20% range, meager rainfall of 11" annually, hard alkaline soil, and high altitude of 2,550 feet allowing the aircraft to be naturally preserved for cannibalization or possible reuse, Davis-Monthan is the logical choice for a major storage facility.
AMARG uses the following official "Type" categories for aircraft in storage:
Type 1000 - aircraft at AMARG for long-term storage, to be maintained until recalled to active service. These aircraft are "inviolate" - have a high potential to return to flying status and no parts may be removed from them. These aircraft are “represerved” every four years.
Type 2000 - aircraft available for parts reclamation, as “aircraft storage bins” for parts, to keep other aircraft flying.
Type 3000 - "flying hold" aircraft kept in near flyable condition in short-term, temporary storage; waiting for transfer to another unit, sale to another country, or reclassification to the other three types.
Type 4000 - aircraft in excess of DoD needs - these have been gutted and every useable part has been reclaimed. They will be sold, broken down into scrap, smelted into ingots, and recycled.
12 сен 2016
