Grounded Giants: Boneyard Photos by Bernhard Lang

German photographer Bernhard Lang flew over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to capture these incredible images for his Boneyard series, documenting the largest aircraft and missile storage facility in the world. At the time of his visit in 2022, nearly 4,000 planes were stored there.

His photographs reveal an extraordinary mix of aircraft, from massive bombers and cargo planes to smaller fighter jets, all arranged in neat rows according to their type. From above, these retired machines look like an enormous geometric pattern stretching across the Arizona desert. Some are still in excellent condition, while others show rust, faded paint or missing parts.

Since 2010, Bernhard has explored patterns and human-made landscapes through his ongoing Aerial Views project, shooting from helicopters and small aircraft. The boneyard is particularly fascinating because it’s more than a final resting place for old planes. Thanks to Arizona’s dry climate, many are carefully preserved for potential reuse, while others are dismantled for spare parts or recycling. It’s a remarkable landscape where aviation history and meticulous organization become an unexpected visual spectacle.

Explore more of Bernhard Lang’s aerial photography on his website, Behance and Instagram.

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