A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

[XWP29]

1. The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

2.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

3.Untitled by XWP29, on Flickr

4.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

5.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG) by XWP29, on Flickr

6.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

7.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

8.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

9.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

10.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

11.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

12.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

13.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

14. Untitled by XWP29, on Flickr

15.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

16.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

17.The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), by XWP29, on Flickr

18.Davis Monthan AFB by XWP29, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Dedicated to J.N. Anderson - Raydon Wings - who passed away the day of the flight.

[Malcolm]

XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

[The Fairford Mole]

What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

[Freeman Lowell]

What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

They do. Photo 8 shows 4 x F-16A/B shrink-wrapped fuselages just before they were air-lifted by An-124 to Ukraine via Poland.
Freeman

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these with us, many years since I had a flight over the site in a Cessna 172.

[XWP29]

XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

Hi Malcom,
Unfortunately not, we were directed to 7000 ft by the Tower at DM from 5000 ft as we climbed and before we entered the airspace, the helicopter operators told us access is patchy during the week so we were lucky. The helicopter had the doors off and was quite an experience, DM asked the Pilot to leave after a couple of circuits. Using a 70-200 and varying between full frame and crop setting these are as good as they get, I haven't been through the ground photos yet, the one that stood out was an ex square D tail. Good luck with your quest.

[gvr]

What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

Selling them is one thing, but you have to remember that you don't buy a fighter (even with the older generation of jets) you buy a _system_. So including spares, logistic support sometimes software with it. You need people for that who are well trained to maintain it. I don't know the current flight hour to personnel ended, but it can reach the 1 to 20 ratio pretty quick.

Such a shame though. A lot of the frames in the pictures I must have seen operationally during the 90'ies ;-)

[Malcolm]

XWP,
Thanks for looking. Hopefully I'll sort it out before it becomes a Baked Bean can.

[Knife 04]

Some good shots from the day Nick - thanks

We were directed to 7000 ft by the Tower at DM from 5000 ft as we climbed and before we entered the airspace, the helicopter operators told us access is patchy during the week so we were lucky. The helicopter had the doors off and was quite an experience

Yes it was quite an experience - 7K, no doors and a regular car seat belt to stop you falling out! Not had a look at mine from the day yet but don't think I took that many due to hanging on

[MattBennett]

Wow, that looks like an unforgettable trip! Thanks for sharing.

[Pune]

Now that is a serious eye opener..thanks for sharing, superb post

[paddyboy]

What an experience and what a set

Rather you than me, Nick

All the best, matey

Pads

[slogen51]

XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

We were at DM on 24-1-2025 , did the over flight etc from a Cessna at 5000 feet - a helicopter experience must be amazing

I have a photo of 58-0067 Sioux City on the ground at DM - easy to see

There is a bit of rough ground where we parked to read the rows of MQ8 helicopters ( our team leader wing commander P. Potter likes a UAV) and i took some time to image any other tails including your 58-0067 which looks in good nick

The KC-135 is in area 23 - I could post a photo in here but I don't want to spoil a nice thread !

[garyscott]

Great shots, that are quite heartbreaking!
Some nice rarities too - like the YC-14 in shot 5.

[Nighthawke]

Wow what a place. Always wanted to go but still on the "bucket" list. Great set of photos. The YC-14 is the one from Mildenhall show 1977.

[Stratocruiser]

Ooooh, right on the money
So very many gems captured beautifully!
Thank you so very much for your truly excellent post