This is just a fraction of the 4,300+ aircraft stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC). Although they have 2,600 acres of desert to store, they are beginning to run in to space problems.
Most of these aircraft may never fly again, but they are excellent sources of parts for active aircraft. Sometimes the aircraft are regenerated for other purposes. The desert and AMARC's expertise have allowed some of these aircraft to be regenerated after decades of storage. Their maintenance expertise have allowed them to support other Air Logistic Centers (ALCs) when the other ALCs have capacity issues.
It should be noted, if the AF were to invest in an effort to inventory all of the aircraft, the AF could save billions (with a B) by reducing purchases of new replacement parts. There are qualified parts waiting to be used in the desert. Just inventory it, then establish it as a source of supply.
Wow, that's a great picture! Brian diverts from his usual Ohio travel to be in Tucson this week.
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