Supporting American military operations during most of the 20th century, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base outside of Tucson, Arizona traces its history back to the earliest days of military aviation.

Opening first as an Army base in 1925, the U.S. government named the newly-formed installation after two local military aviation pioneers, Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan. A few years later, Charles Lindbergh travelled to Arizona and officially dedicated the base after returning from his record breaking solo flight across the Atlantic.

Following the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947, the Army transferred control of the installation to the newly formed branch of the military. The base is currently home to the historic 355th Fighter Group. Originally stationed in Orlando, Florida, the 355th took part in the D-Day invasion, flying bombing mission of Nazi occupied France.

Following the Vietnam War, the group relocated to Davis-Monthan and became the 355th Tactical Training Wing, flying primarly the A-10 Warthog aircraft. In recent years the Wing has taken part in Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Beyond its active-duty responsibilities, Davis-Monthan is well known as the home of the 309 Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. Also known as AMARG, the 309th is a massive storage facility for hundreds of retired military aircraft spanning all eras of American military aviation. The Pentagon chose the Tucson base as its primary storage facility due to the arid climate which minimizes corrosion.

Visitors can tour this one-of-a-kind facility and learn more about Davis-Monthan's contributions to America's national defense by visiting the Pima Air and Space Museum located just outside of the base's main gate.

Podcast Written and Narrated by Ricky Gomez, Public History Student at the University of West Florida.