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Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
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Davis–Monthan Air Force Base (DM AFB) (IATA: DMA, ICAO: KDMA, FAA LID: DMA) 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), the aircraft boneyard for all excess military and U.S. government aircraft and aerospace vehicles.

Key Information

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 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 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, 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 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.

Perhaps 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 the base.[2]

History

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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.[3] 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.[4]

Namesakes

[edit]

Samuel Howard Davis

[edit]

First Lieutenant Samuel Howard Davis (November 20, 1896 – December 28, 1921) was a pilot and United States Army Air Service officer. Born to Sam and Effie Davis[5] in 1896 in Dyer County, Tennessee,[6][7] Davis was known by his middle name, Howard.[8][9] He attended public schools in Tucson.[10][11] As a young man, his hobbies included horseback riding and shooting; he was a good marksman.[6]

Davis enrolled at Texas A&M College in 1915 as a student of mechanical engineering,[12] having previously attended the University of Arizona in Tucson.[10] 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.[12][6] He trained pilots during the first World War, including some pilots who took down German planes.[6] He reached the rank of Second Lieutenant.[7] 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.[9][13][14] Davis married Marjorie Cameron of San Antonio in 1920.[13]

Davis returned to the Army Air Service in August 1921.[12][10] He died in 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.[15] One other person, William C. Sinclair, was also killed.[16][17][4] They were hunting ducks at the time; Sinclair was piloting and Davis was shooting.[18] After a funeral at the home of his parents, Davis was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson.[19] He was survived by his widow, his parents, and a brother, Wilton.[20]

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.[21][22][15]

Origins

[edit]

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 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.[15][21][22] 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,[23] then the largest municipal airport in the United States.

Military presence at 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 the early 1940s, when military requirements began to require the relocation of civil aviation activities.

World War II

[edit]

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.[24] In its military role, 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 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 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.

Cold War

[edit]

Strategic Air Command

[edit]
Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) boneyard at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base

The Cold War era was ushered in at Davis–Monthan on 21 March 1946, with the installation placed under 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 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, 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Tactical Air Command

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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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,[25] it did not survive the end of the Cold War drawdown, and disbanded in 1992.

Post-Cold War era

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In the 1990s, the 355 TTW continued to train A-10 crews for assignments to units in 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 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).

A newly modified A-10C Thunderbolt II taxis into Davis–Monthan AFB.

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 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 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).

Air Combat Command

[edit]

On 1 June 1992, Tactical Air Command was inactivated and all aircraft, personnel and installations previously under TAC were transferred to 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.

Global War on Terrorism, 2001–2007

[edit]
One of the 214th Reconnaissance Group's General Atomics MQ-1B Predator UAV aircraft (AF Serial No. 04-0555)

The attacks on 11 September 2001, led to 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 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 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 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 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.

2007–present

[edit]

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, 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.[26] The 355th Fighter Wing was re-designated 355th Wing on January 2, 2019.[27] On 20 August 2020, the 355th Wing again realigned and now falls under the 15th Air Force Headquarters at Shaw AFB, SC.[28]

The 924 Fighter Group 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 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 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.[29] The group was deactivated on 6 September 2025 as part of the wider drawdown of the USAF's A-10 fleet.[30]

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.[31]

Role and operations

[edit]
An A-10 in the Arizona sunset

355th Wing

[edit]

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 the tail code "DM".

  • 354th Fighter Squadron (A-10C) "Bulldogs", blue tail flash
  • 357th Fighter Squadron (A-10C) "Dragons", yellow tail flash
  • 358th Fighter Squadron (A-10C) "Lobos", black tail flash (inactivated 21 February 2014)[32]
  • 355th Operations Support Squadron
  • 355th Training Squadron
  • 607th Air Control Squadron
  • 355th Mission Support Group (355 MSG) – The 355 MSG consists of about 2,000 military and civilian personnel in six diverse squadrons that train, equip and provide agile combat mission support, including civil engineering, communications, contracting, transportation, fuels, supply, deployment readiness, personnel, security forces, and services for immediate worldwide deployment of combat support elements. The group also provides an effective in-garrison support infrastructure and quality of life services for 26 wing and 32 associate units spanning a 60,000-person, 10,763-acre (43.56 km2) community, one of the largest in Air Combat Command.
  • 355th Maintenance Group (355 MXG) – The 355 MXG supports eight flying squadrons, providing organizational and intermediate field level/back shop maintenance for 110 A-10C, and intermediate field level/back shop maintenance for an additional 14 EC-130H, 1 TC-130H, 8 HH-60H, and 6 HC-130J combat-ready aircraft. The 355 MXG has over 1,700 assigned personnel, ensures quality of on- and off-equipment aircraft maintenance, and executes an annual O&M budget of $72.2M.[33]
    • 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
    • 355th Component Maintenance Squadron
    • 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
  • 355th Medical Group (355 MDG) – The 355th Medical Group was established in 1955 as the 355th USAF Infirmary at McGhee Tyson AFB, Tennessee. After several redesignations, it was activated at Davis–Monthan AFB as the 355th Medical Group in 1992. The 355th Medical Group ensures combat medical readiness of all operational and support units home-based at Davis–Monthan AFB for global contingencies. With an authorized staff of 407 and a resource allocation totaling $26 million, the 355 MDG ensures that warriors at Davis–Monthan AFB are medically fit-to-fight. In addition to training and equipping/manning 25 mobility teams, the 355 MDG also promotes the health and wellness of the Davis–Monthan AFB community by meeting the health care needs of over 54,000 eligible DoD beneficiaries in southern Arizona.

563rd Rescue Group

[edit]

The 563rd Rescue Group is part of the 355th Wing. It includes the following squadrons:

Main gate sign

Tenant units

[edit]

Twelfth Air Force

[edit]

Davis–Monthan is headquarters of Air Combat Command's Twelfth Air Force and the 612th Air and Space Operations Center which operates AFSOUTH's Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC). Other Direct Report Units include the 612th Air Communications Squadron.

55th Electronic Combat Group

309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)

[edit]

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) is part of Air Force Materiel Command and is responsible for the base's aircraft "graveyard", the largest in terms of number of planes in the world,[34] where old military and other aircraft are stationed either to be stored indefinitely, demilitarized for museum or monument display, stripped and pulped/recycled, or restored for service.[35][36][37]

943rd Rescue Group

Arizona Air National Guard

[edit]
Air Force One arrives at the base with President Barack Obama during a 2011 visit to Tucson.

The base provides additional active duty support to the 162d Fighter Wing (162 FW) of the Arizona Air National Guard and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, both located at Tucson Air National Guard Base at nearby Tucson International Airport, and both of which fly the F-16C and F-16D Fighting Falcon, with the latter also operating an A-10 Thunderbolt II detachment in concert with the 355 FW at Davis–Monthan AFB.

The 214th Attack Group (214 RG) of the Arizona Air National Guard previously operated the MQ-1 Predator and currently flies the MQ-9 Reaper in a split operation, with remote piloting/command & control activities at Davis-Monthan AFB and aircraft launch, recovery and maintenance activities taking place at Libby Army Airfield.[39]

Other activities

[edit]

Also located on base is the 25th Operational Weather Squadron 25 OWS. The squadron produces forecasts for the Western United States and is part of the 1st Weather Group (1 WXG) headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The squadron also serves as a training hub for new weather professionals—both enlisted and officers.

Other military activities and federal agencies using the base include the Navy Operational Support Center Tucson, a detachment of the Naval Air Systems Command, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Tucson Air Branch, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Based units

[edit]

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base.[40][41][42][43][44][45][46]

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Davis–Monthan, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Air Force

[edit]

Previous names

[edit]
  • Established as: Davis–Monthan Landing Field, 1 November 1925
  • Tucson Municipal Airport, 6 October 1927
  • Davis–Monthan Field, 3 December 1941
  • Davis–Monthan AFB, 13 January 1948 – present

Major commands to which assigned

[edit]

Major units assigned

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Davis–Monthan Base is a installation located within the city limits of , approximately 5 miles southeast of downtown. Originally established as a municipal landing field in 1925 and dedicated in 1927 by , it was named in honor of Lieutenants Samuel W. Davis and Frank B. Monthan, two local airmen who died in separate crashes in 1921. The site transitioned to military use as Tucson Army Air Base in April 1941, was redesignated Davis-Monthan Army Air Field in December 1941, and formally became an base in 1948. The base spans over 10,000 acres and serves as home to approximately 11,000 Airmen across 34 mission partners, supporting six combatant commands through projection. Its host unit, the 355th Wing under , executes with A-10 Thunderbolt II , via HC-130 and HH-60 assets, and related training and sustainment operations. A defining feature is the adjacent 309th Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), which manages storage for nearly 3,200 and over 6,300 engines across U.S. military branches and allies, leveraging the arid climate for preservation on 2,600 acres of desert soil. AMARG functions as a national reservoir of , enabling regeneration for rapid deployment and reclaiming parts to generate substantial cost savings, such as $333 million in fiscal year 2023. Notable mission partners include the 12th Air Force, 55th Electronic Combat Group for electronic warfare, and elements transitioning to the base, enhancing its role in global . The installation has earned recognition, including the 2018 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, reflecting its operational efficiency and economic contribution exceeding $2.6 billion annually to the region.

Geography and Infrastructure

Location and Environmental Setting

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is located approximately 7 miles southeast of downtown , at coordinates 32°10′N 110°53′W. The installation encompasses roughly 10,600 acres within the , characterized by flat, expansive terrain suitable for activities, including one of the longest runways in the U.S. Air Force at 13,645 feet. This desert setting provides logistical advantages for storage and maintenance of , as the low humidity and minimal rainfall—averaging 12 inches annually—minimize risks. The base experiences an arid climate typical of the region, with hot summers featuring average high temperatures exceeding 100°F from June through August, particularly peaking at 101°F in July. Mild winters, with average highs around 65–70°F, support continuous flight operations throughout the year, though intense summer heat and dust storms pose challenges for ground maintenance and equipment performance. High evaporation rates, often reaching 80 inches annually, further define the environmental conditions, influencing water management and dust suppression efforts on the base. Positioned about 60 miles north of the U.S.- border, the base integrates border security functions with its primary aviation roles, leveraging its southeastern placement for rapid response capabilities. Surrounding urban expansion from Tucson encroaches on adjacent areas, while protected natural features, including proximity to Saguaro National Park's Rincon Mountain District—roughly 20 minutes' drive east—necessitate measures to preserve desert ecosystems amid operational demands.

Key Facilities and Capabilities

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base operates a primary runway designated 13/31, measuring 13,645 feet long by 200 feet wide, constructed with paved embankment material suitable for heavy aircraft operations. This infrastructure supports the base's role as the Air Force's busiest single-runway airfield. Fuel storage facilities provide approximately 8.8 million gallons of , distributed across multiple above-ground tanks to sustain flightline demands. capabilities include specialized hangars, such as the 76,746-square-foot facility at the 309th Aerospace and Regeneration Group (AMARG) for aircraft inspection, repair, and regeneration. The AMARG occupies 2,600 acres and maintains storage for nearly 4,000 , enabling preservation, parts reclamation, and potential reactivation to support Department of Defense readiness. Security features encompass fortified perimeters, with enhancements underway including the South Wilmot Gate project, whose groundbreaking occurred on August 23, 2024, to improve and accommodate increased commercial traffic. Logistics infrastructure, managed by the 355th Readiness Squadron, facilitates and deployment support, complemented by the 355th Group's facilities for personnel health and readiness. These assets collectively enable the base's capacities for storage exceeding 4,000 units, sustained flight operations, and integrated maintenance functions.

Historical Development

Establishment and Pre-World War II Operations

Davis–Monthan Landing Field was established on November 1, 1925, when the Tucson City Council acquired approximately 1,280 acres of land southeast of the city to develop an airfield amid growing interest in aviation following World War I. The site was named in honor of two local World War I-era Army pilots, Lieutenant Samuel H. Davis Jr. (1896–1921), a Tucson native who died in a training aircraft crash in Florida on December 28, 1921, and Lieutenant Oscar Monthan (1885–1924), an aeronautical engineer and Tucson resident killed in a Martin MB-2 bomber crash in Hawaii on March 27, 1924. Both men had contributed to early military aviation efforts, with Davis serving as a flight instructor and Monthan working in aircraft engineering. Initially operated as a civilian facility, the airfield functioned primarily as a stopover for private and pilots traversing the Southwest, supporting cross-country flights in an era of rudimentary . It transitioned to Tucson Municipal Airport on October 6, 1927, with formal dedication ceremonies attended by aviation pioneers, including on September 23, 1927, reflecting its role in fostering regional air commerce and occasional military overflights. During this period, the flat, arid terrain proved advantageous for operations, though infrastructure remained basic, with limited hangars and runways suited to smaller . As tensions escalated in Europe during the late 1930s, the U.S. Army Air Corps identified the site for expansion amid the pre-World War II military buildup, leasing and developing it into a dedicated aviation facility by September 1940 to address growing demands for pilot training. Construction of runways, warehouses, and support structures accelerated under Army supervision, transforming the municipal airport into Tucson Army Air Base by April 17, 1941, with an initial emphasis on basic flight training to expand the Air Corps' cadre of skilled aviators. This activation supported the national effort to modernize air forces, focusing on foundational skills in pursuit and multi-engine operations before full wartime mobilization. The base was redesignated Davis–Monthan Army Air Field on December 1, 1941, solidifying its military orientation just prior to U.S. entry into the war.

World War II Contributions

Davis–Monthan Field underwent significant expansion in the lead-up to and during , serving as a key operational training base for heavy bombardment units under the U.S. Army Air Forces. Initially activated with the assignment of the 1st Bombardment Wing, 41st Bombardment Group, and 31st Air Base Group on April 30, 1941, the installation focused on preparing combat-ready aircrews for deployment. Following the U.S. entry into the war after , it hosted elements of bombardment groups that departed for combat theaters while ramping up domestic training operations. The base became a primary site for B-24 Liberator crew training, qualifying complete 11-member teams—from pilots and navigators to bombardiers and gunners—in operational missions, including flexible gunnery and . As the third-largest B-24 training facility in the United States, it produced aircrews that bolstered the heavy bombardment pipeline for both the European and Pacific theaters, enabling sustained campaigns without direct overseas deployment of the base itself. Toward the war's end, training shifted to the B-29 Superfortress, preparing crews for high-altitude missions against . The sudden Japanese surrender in led to a rapid postwar drawdown of training activities, with many units inactivated or reassigned. However, the base retained utility for aircraft storage and maintenance, laying groundwork for reserve roles and long-term preservation functions that persisted beyond the immediate .

Cold War Strategic Role

Following World War II, Davis–Monthan Air Force Base assumed a pivotal role in the emerging Cold War as Strategic Air Command (SAC) established two B-29 bombardment groups there in May 1946. These units operated Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, later transitioning to upgraded B-50 Superfortresses and Boeing B-47 Stratojets by the 1950s, positioning the base as a cornerstone of America's nuclear deterrence strategy amid escalating tensions with the Soviet Union. The B-47s, introduced in the early jet age, enabled rapid strategic bombing capabilities, with dozens stationed at the base to maintain continuous alert postures. In response to the 1962 , the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing relocated from to Davis–Monthan in 1963, bringing Dragon Lady aircraft for high-altitude intelligence gathering. This wing conducted overflights and peripheral reconnaissance missions to monitor Soviet military developments, providing essential data that informed U.S. strategic decisions during a period of nuclear brinkmanship. The U-2 operations underscored the base's evolution into a hub for aerial , complementing SAC's bombing mission with real-time threat assessment. By the 1970s, under oversight, Davis–Monthan shifted toward tactical fighter-bomber roles, receiving the first production Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II on October 17, 1975. Assigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, the A-10 was engineered for against massed Soviet armor in , featuring a 30 mm cannon and titanium-armored cockpit for survivability in low-level attacks. This introduction bolstered conventional deterrence, training pilots for rapid deployment scenarios while integrating with broader defense planning.

Post-Cold War Transitions

Following the and the end of the in 1991, Davis–Monthan Air Force Base transitioned from strategic nuclear-focused operations under to conventional combat roles. On October 1, 1991, the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 355th Fighter Wing, and on June 1, 1992, it was reassigned to the newly established following the inactivation of . This shift aligned the base with post-Cold War emphases on expeditionary airpower and , retaining the A-10 Thunderbolt II as its primary aircraft for ground attack missions amid Air Force-wide drawdowns. The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC, redesignated the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in 2007) saw substantial expansion to accommodate the retirement of thousands of aircraft from reduced inventories, including fighters, bombers, and transports no longer needed for large-scale conventional threats. By the mid-1990s, the facility stored over 3,000 airframes in various preservation states, enabling cost-effective regeneration of assets—such as F-16s and A-10s—for operational reuse, which supported readiness without new procurement amid budget constraints. The base faced potential closure or realignment under the 1991, 1993, and 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds due to force reductions, but the 355th Wing's specialized A-10 mission—critical for precision strikes against armored and irregular targets—was preserved, averting divestment. Encroachment mitigation efforts in the 1990s further bolstered retention by addressing urban growth impacts on training airspace. In the early 2000s, adaptations for emerging asymmetric threats included integrating tenant units to enhance multifaceted operations. The 55th Electronic Combat Group, operating EC-130H Compass Call aircraft for electronic attack to disrupt enemy , became a key tenant supporting the wing's tactical missions. The activation of the 563rd Rescue Group in 2003 added dedicated capabilities with HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130s, preparing for personnel recovery in dispersed, low-intensity conflicts where air superiority was not guaranteed. These additions diversified the base's focus toward resilient, joint-enabled operations in contested environments.

Operations in the Global War on Terrorism and Beyond

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Davis–Monthan Air Force Base played a pivotal role in the Global War on Terrorism through deployments of the 355th Wing's A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for missions. In the initial phase of , eight A-10s from the 355th Wing were deployed to , , in late 2001, providing direct support to ground operations against and forces. These aircraft specialized in low-altitude attacks using precision-guided munitions and the cannon, effectively suppressing enemy positions and protecting coalition troops in contested environments. Subsequent rotations intensified, with the 354th Fighter Squadron ("Bulldogs") deploying approximately 300 Airmen and multiple A-10s to Airfield in July 2009 for a six-month stint under . In 2009, the 355th Wing achieved a milestone as the first A-10C unit to operate in , leveraging upgraded precision targeting capabilities that enhanced mission accuracy and reduced collateral risks. Personnel from the wing returned in January 2010 after completing combat sorties that contributed to troop protection and enemy neutralization, with A-10 pilots logging extensive flight hours in support of ground maneuvers. The base also hosted temporary units aligned with enduring freedom operations, bolstering surge capacity for theater airpower. Tenant rescue units, including the 563rd Rescue Group, executed (CSAR) missions throughout the conflicts in and , recovering isolated personnel under fire and conducting medical evacuations. Reserve components, such as the 943rd Rescue Group, mobilized in 2003 for personnel recovery in , returning after supporting with helicopter and fixed-wing assets. These operations demonstrated high reliability in hostile theaters, with CSAR teams enabling the safe extraction of downed and special operators, thereby sustaining operational tempo. The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis–Monthan underpinned these efforts by reclaiming and supplying aircraft parts from stored platforms, avoiding procurement delays and costs during high-demand periods. During the GWOT era, AMARG processed thousands of components annually to sustain active fleets, including those deployed from the base, ensuring rapid turnaround for without new manufacturing. This regenerative capacity supported the overall by extending the service life of legacy aircraft types used in operations up to the mid-2010s.

Organizational Structure and Commands

Major Commands and Assignments

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base operated under the from its activation as a training facility on June 1, 1941, until the establishment of the independent on September 18, 1947. The base transitioned to (SAC) control in March 1946, aligning with SAC's formation to prioritize long-range strategic and reconnaissance missions amid emerging tensions. Under SAC, Davis–Monthan hosted B-29 and later B-47 bomber wings, emphasizing nuclear deterrence and global strike capabilities through air refueling units and heavy groups until the mid-1970s. This period marked a doctrinal shift from World War II-era tactical training to sustained strategic readiness, with the base supporting SAC's alert postures and overseas deployments. On September 30, 1976, following 30 years under SAC, the base transferred to (), redirecting missions toward , fighter operations, and training. 's oversight facilitated the introduction of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for ground-attack roles, reflecting a pivot from SAC's high-altitude to low-level tactical and battlefield support. This realignment supported 's focus on rapid deployability and integration with ground forces, preparing units for regional conflicts rather than global nuclear standoffs. TAC was inactivated on June 1, 1992, prompting Davis–Monthan's reassignment to (ACC), which assumed responsibility for conventional airpower forces previously under TAC and portions of SAC's bomber fleet. ACC's command has sustained an emphasis on multi-domain combat operations, including fighter, rescue, and electronic warfare missions, adapting to post-Cold War requirements for and joint force integration. Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, a component under ACC, relocated to Davis–Monthan on July 13, 1993, from , , enhancing the installation's role in supervising western U.S. combat wings and air operations centers. Since assuming its dual designation as Air Forces Southern in 2006, has provided air component support to , overseeing security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and contingency operations across the , with intensified engagements noted from 2009 onward including exercises like Operation Southern Partner. These sequential affiliations underscore doctrinal evolutions: SAC's nuclear-centric strategic posture yielded to TAC's tactical conventional focus, culminating in ACC's balanced approach to high-intensity conflict and global engagement.

Previous Designations and Evolutions

The airfield at Davis–Monthan was initially established as Davis–Monthan Landing Field on October 14, 1925, named in honor of Lieutenants Samuel H. Davis Jr. and Oscar Monthan, two Tucson aviators killed in separate -era accidents. It served primarily as a municipal facility for civilian and limited military use until redesignated Davis–Monthan Army Air Field on December 1, 1941, amid U.S. military expansion preceding entry, which shifted its role toward Army Air Forces training and operations. Following the creation of the independent U.S. Air Force under the , the installation was renamed Davis–Monthan Air Force Base on January 13, 1948, formalizing its status as a dedicated USAF installation and aligning with service-wide transitions from Army Air Forces nomenclature. The base's host unit, the 355th Wing, traces its lineage through multiple redesignations reflecting broader doctrinal and organizational restructurings. Reactivated in 1964 as the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli Base, , it relocated to Davis–Monthan in 1966 and emphasized tactical fighter operations during the Vietnam era before evolving in the post- period. In October 1991, amid the drawdown following the Cold War's end and the adoption of the Objective Wing concept—which integrated composite mission capabilities under a single wing—the unit was redesignated the 355th Fighter Wing, dropping "Tactical" to signify a shift toward multirole fighter employment and reduced emphasis on theater-specific tactics. This change paralleled USAF-wide efforts to streamline commands for efficiency in a unipolar strategic environment. On January 2, 2019, it became the 355th Wing to encompass expanded non-fighter roles, including air refueling and , driven by force structure realignments under to address emerging global threats with integrated expeditionary units. These evolutions prioritized operational flexibility over rigid mission silos, without altering the base's core infrastructure.

Current Mission and Operations

Host Unit: 355th Wing

The 355th Wing, assigned to Air Combat Command's , serves as the host unit at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base and executes missions encompassing , , , , and electronic combat. Its aircraft inventory includes A-10C Thunderbolt II dedicated to and , EC-130H Compass Call for standoff electronic attack, HC-130J Combat King II for combat rescue tanker and recovery support, and HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters for personnel recovery operations. Organized into four primary groups, the wing's structure supports integrated operations: the 355th Operations Group oversees flying squadrons and mission execution, including pilot training and deployment rotations; the 355th Maintenance Group manages aircraft sustainment, achieving high mission-capable rates through phased inspections and repairs; the 355th Medical Group delivers aeromedical services to ensure warfighter readiness for global contingencies; and the 355th Mission Support Group provides essential base services such as infrastructure maintenance, , and to enable seamless operations. In 2025, the wing maintains training pipelines for forward air controllers via OA-10 platforms and rescue operations integrating HH-60W and HC-130J assets, with personnel participating in exercises like Red Flag-Rescue to hone joint tactics. Deployment readiness emphasizes rapid combat power generation, as designated under the Lead Wing concept, supporting high rates and overseas taskings. The unit has earned recognition, including the Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award, for superior mission competence and infrastructure management.

Tenant and Associate Units

The headquarters of (Air Forces Southern), a under , is located at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, where it oversees the combat readiness of 10 active-duty wings and three direct reporting units across the , while also serving as the air component to for air operations in Central and , the , and . The 563rd Rescue Group, assigned to , operates from the base as the only active-duty unit dedicated to , directing flying operations, training, equipping, and maintaining readiness for personnel recovery missions using HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. The Air National Guard's maintains geographically separated units at Davis–Monthan, including elements supporting remotely piloted aircraft operations such as the MQ-9 Reaper through the 214th Attack Group, integrating with active-duty missions for and strike capabilities while the wing's primary F-16 pilot training occurs at adjacent Morris Air National Guard Base. Reserve associate units include the 943rd Rescue Group, which provides personnel recovery support in conjunction with the 563rd, and the 55th Electronic Combat Group, focused on electronic warfare training and operations to enhance combat effectiveness. U.S. and Protection's Air and Marine Operations maintains the Tucson Air Branch at the base, conducting aerial surveillance and interdiction flights that account for approximately 17 percent of the agency's total flight hours, primarily supporting border security along the U.S.- frontier through operations with units.

Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)

The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), a subordinate unit of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, operates on over 2,600 acres adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, managing the storage and preservation of excess Department of Defense aircraft. This facility houses nearly 4,000 aircraft across approximately 80 weapon systems, along with 6,650 engines and hundreds of thousands of components, enabling rapid surge capacity for national defense needs. Aircraft are preserved in controlled desert conditions to inhibit corrosion, with empirical maintenance extending airframe viability for potential reactivation, as demonstrated by historical regenerations during conflicts such as the 1991 Gulf War where stored platforms were recalled to bolster operational fleets. AMARG's core functions encompass regeneration, where stored are inspected, repaired, and returned to flying status—averaging about 100 preparations annually, with roughly 10-20% of historically reused—parts reclamation, and demilitarization for disposal. Reclamation involves extracting serviceable components, such as the nearly 7,000 parts recovered in 2023, which avoided costs exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars by supplying warfighters with verified, low-hour alternatives to new . Demilitarization processes shred airframes, smelt alloys, and neutralize sensitive systems, recovering recyclable materials while preventing proliferation, thereby optimizing lifecycle costs through data-driven assessments of structural longevity. The group extends its lifecycle management to allied partners by storing foreign excess inventory, fostering and reducing U.S. storage burdens for assets. This collaborative approach, combined with rigorous preservation protocols, has proven cost-effective, as preserved aircraft often exceed initial service life projections, providing a strategic reserve that mitigates the fiscal strain of full fleet replacement.

Recent Mission Adaptations (Post-2020)

In February 2024, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base commenced the divestment of its A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, with the first retirement occurring on February 6, 2024, as part of the U.S. Air Force's plan to phase out the fleet by 2030 amid shifts in operational priorities toward multi-domain threats. By September 16, 2024, the 354th Fighter Squadron and 354th Fighter Generation Squadron were inactivated, retiring 36 A-10s and marking the end of nearly 50 years of close air support operations with the platform at the base. This transition freed resources for new capabilities, including potential F-35 integration by affected personnel. To address the resulting capacity, the Department of the designated Davis-Monthan as the primary location for the headquarters on September 12, 2025, relocating it from , , along with the 319th Squadron. Revised plans incorporate a CV-22 Osprey squadron for vertical insertion and infiltration missions, plus a second OA-1K light attack/intelligence squadron, enhancing Command's power projection for and contested environments. Environmental impact studies for the approximately 600 personnel relocation are set to commence in fall 2025, prioritizing mission effectiveness over initial MC-130J proposals. Adaptations have emphasized readiness for competition, including Exercise in February 2025, which simulated Pacific theater contingencies to deter aggression and integrate forces. The base-hosted 11th Air achieved the first deployment under the Air Force's new agile combat employment model in September 2025, involving 350 Airmen from multiple bases for rapid mobilization. In October 2025, the solicited lease proposals for 300 acres of underutilized southwest base land to host a private-sector AI data center, utilizing secure federal to support national computing demands without compromising operational space. This initiative forms part of a broader effort across five bases to accelerate AI development through public-private partnerships.

Strategic and Economic Significance

National Defense Contributions

The 355th Wing at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft specialized for close air support (CAS), enabling precise engagement of ground threats to protect U.S. and allied forces in counterinsurgency and conventional operations. This role has been pivotal in enhancing ground troop survivability, with A-10s conducting over 4.5 million flight hours across conflicts including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, where their titanium-armored cockpits and GAU-8 Avenger cannon facilitated low-altitude loiter times exceeding 2 hours per sortie for sustained threat suppression. Empirical assessments from combat data indicate A-10 CAS missions correlated with reduced enemy anti-access fire, though critics citing friendly fire incidents—totaling 33 U.S. troop deaths from 2001–2013—understate the platform's overall net reduction in casualties via superior target discrimination in permissive environments compared to faster jets. The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) bolsters deterrence and readiness by maintaining a of nearly 4,000 stored , enabling rapid regeneration for in crises. Historical precedents include reactivating 150 B-29 Superfortresses within months for bombing campaigns and returning F-4 Phantoms to service for Vietnam-era needs, demonstrating causal links between storage preservation and accelerated deployment timelines that outpace new production. This surge capacity counters budget-driven divestment rationales by providing empirical surge options, as GAO analyses highlight risks of capability gaps without such reserves amid peer threats. Headquartered at the base, (Air Forces Southern) directs air operations supporting U.S. Southern Command across Central and , fostering interoperability with partner nations to deter transnational threats like narcotics trafficking and illicit arms flows. Responsible for 10 active-duty wings' in the western U.S., it ensures through exercises yielding over 1,000 sorties annually, empirically strengthening hemispheric stability without direct deployments. Proposals to divest A-10s, often justified by emphasis on multirole fighters for near-peer conflicts, overlook verifiable CAS-unique attributes like 1,174 30mm rounds per for armored vehicle attrition, which operator testimonies link to lower U.S. losses in —gaps unmitigated by F-35 substitutions per internal briefings predicting increased ground risks. Retention arguments prioritize these causal security benefits over projected savings, as congressional overrides of retirement plans affirm the platform's irreplaceable deterrence value in scenarios below high-end air superiority thresholds.

Economic Impact on Region

Davis–Monthan Air Force Base contributes approximately $2.53 billion annually to Arizona's economy, with the majority of this impact concentrated in the Tucson metropolitan area through payroll, procurement contracts, and local spending by personnel. The base supports 13,977 total jobs in Pima County, including 9,856 direct positions for military and civilian employees, alongside indirect and induced employment from supply chains and consumer expenditures. Direct payroll exceeds $557 million, funding housing, retail, and services that bolster regional commerce. The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) enhances these multipliers by regenerating and components, generating value from specialized storage and reclamation activities that exceed hypothetical civilian alternatives like simple scrapping or warehousing. Economic modeling using IMPLAN indicates output multipliers of around 1.8–2.0 for base activities, reflecting efficient use of desert infrastructure for national defense needs while sustaining local vendors. Retention efforts during (BRAC) rounds, such as in 2005, have safeguarded these benefits against relocation risks, preserving job stability amid federal budget pressures. Claims of excessive regional dependence overlook how the base's consistent presence has enabled economic diversification, providing a skilled and that attract in defense-related technologies. This anchoring effect supports Tucson's transition toward a broader high-tech without the volatility of boom-bust cycles seen in non-military dependent areas.

Environmental Management and Controversies

Remediation Efforts and Compliance

Davis–Monthan Base has conducted ongoing investigations into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, including remedial investigations to assess the nature and extent of PFOS and PFOA impacts, with a awarded by the Civil Engineer Center in June for further study. Monitoring wells have been used to sample , identifying PFAS presence and enabling targeted evaluations under the Environmental Restoration Program. These efforts align with Department of Defense directives for expedited PFAS investigations and remediation, initiated as of February 2024. For legacy waste management, the base installed a landfill cap and methane control system at the closed LF-01 site in 1999, followed by a landfill gas collection, control, and treatment system to mitigate emissions from decomposing waste. Ongoing maintenance and focused remedial investigations ensure the cap's integrity and gas containment, demonstrating long-term efficacy in preventing uncontrolled methane release without requiring additional waste acceptance since closure. The base maintains compliance with Environmental Protection Agency and DoD environmental standards, including periodic resampling of its water system under the EPA PFAS drinking water rule to verify contaminant levels below regulatory thresholds. These measures reflect integration of solutions that prioritize operational continuity, as evidenced by the sustained functionality of remediation over decades. To incorporate sustainable practices, Davis–Monthan operationalized a 16.4-megawatt photovoltaic solar array in 2014, the Air Force's largest at the time, supplying 35 percent of the base's needs and yielding annual cost savings of approximately $500,000 without affecting mission readiness. This project, utilizing panels on single-axis trackers, exemplifies the base's adoption of technologies in parallel with environmental compliance objectives.

Criticisms and Debates

In January 2016, three residents near Davis-Monthan Base filed a federal lawsuit alleging excessive noise and safety risks from expanded training flights, seeking a for the to re-evaluate its 2015 environmental assessment under the . The plaintiffs claimed the increase in operations, including low-altitude flights over residential areas, violated federal standards and posed health hazards, though base records from that year documented only 546 noise complaints amid 58,000 flight operations, suggesting limited empirical impact relative to activity volume. A February 2020 Air Force environmental impact statement on basing an F-35A squadron at the base projected "significant noise impacts" in surrounding communities, with modeled increases in day-night average sound levels exceeding 65 decibels in some areas, potentially linked to sleep disruption and cardiovascular risks based on prior aviation studies. Critics, including local advocacy groups, argued these projections understated real-world exposures from the F-35's afterburner operations, which generate peak levels up to 120 decibels at close range, far surpassing A-10 baselines; however, actual post-assessment data from similar F-35 sites indicate measured exposures often fall below model predictions due to flight path variances and mitigation like voluntary quiet hours. PFAS contamination from historical use of aqueous film-forming foam for firefighting has drawn scrutiny, with detections in Tucson Water wells north of the base exceeding the EPA's 2016 health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for combined PFOA/PFOS as of 2025 assessments. In December 2024, the City of Tucson sued the Department of Defense, claiming Davis-Monthan knowingly allowed migration of contaminants off-base, leading to closure of nearly 30 wells and over $71 million in remediation costs. Debates center on balancing military training imperatives—where PFAS foams remain effective for rapid fire suppression on carriers and runways—against health risks, including potential immune and cancer links from chronic exposure; proponents of base operations note DoD-wide cleanup rates exceed benchmarks, with EPA approval of Davis-Monthan's October 2024 treatment plan confirming compliance under the via granular activated carbon systems targeting plume containment. The Air Force's push to retire A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons at Davis-Monthan, accelerated in 2021 amid budget reallocations to F-35 programs, has faced criticism for eroding capabilities, with ground troops from and operations testifying to the A-10's unmatched loiter time, 30mm precision, and survivability in low-threat environments—saving lives in over 5,000 CAS sorties during those conflicts per pilot accounts. leaders countered that adaptations like drone integration and F-35 munitions could fill gaps, citing the A-10's vulnerability to advanced air defenses, yet empirical from exercises show no equivalent platform matching the Warthog's titanium-armored endurance and cost-per-engagement efficacy, prompting congressional blocks on full divestment as recently as 2025.

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