decommissioned military stuff?

Question

I keep seeing all these old military bits left around, be it old vehicles, parts, ships, or whatever. Even bases get abandoned, decommissioned, and just left to rot.
One of my friends said it would be cool to try and get some of that stuff. They figured they could get a really good price on some of it, as the military can't afford to let it fall apart, nor can they afford to keep it, so the stuff is left to just decay.
I figured some of the stuff that can't be saved, we might be able to buy it, or if it is bad enough, offer to take it (like that'll work) and try to scrap it ourselves and sell off the scrap.
with the condition of some of the stuff, we should be able to make a little money off of cutting the broken husk of a rusted out ship and selling it for the steel value. not a whole lot, but it would be something.
SO, my question is, exactly who (or what department or division) of each branch should I contact about offering to take/buy their garbage items?
There is some cool looking stuff that nobody wants, so I was wondering who exactly I should contact?
Where I used to live, there was an abandoned naval base, everything of value taken away, just a couple rotting buildings and an expanse of concrete (cracked and broken.) Who exactly should I contact if I wanted to offer to buy such an abandoned base? Was thinking of taking such a thing and renting dock space, and try to save the old buildings and convert them to self storage or something.
thanks.

Answer 1

Just about the only stuff worthwhile buying are decommissioned airplane parts from boneyards. They're useful and they don't cost a hell of a lot. But, you wouldn't really have a variety to choose from. The government requires that all property and equipment sold to civilians be thoroughly demilitarized. So, you can't exactly fly down to Davis–Monthan AFB, buy a decommissioned F-14, somehow refit it with working engines and other necessary gear, and then proceed to reenact Top Gun (Lord knows how much I would have loved to do that!).



From experience, I'll tell you that buying demilitarized equipment is not as easy as it seems. I used to work at a museum, restoring aircraft, and we needed parts for an old Beechcraft Musketeer. We were lucky to find an A23(II) that was used in evaluation flights by the Air Force in the 60s. It was sitting in Arizona, sealed up and lacking the engine, flaps, tail and props. The curator had to run through a shitload of paperwork and then got it shipped up to the museum in Canada by truck.





As Wraeth said, abandoned bases are still kept on the register, should the need to refurbish and reactivate them ever arise.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

decommissioned military stuff?

I keep seeing all these old military bits left around, be it old vehicles, parts, ships, or whatever. Even bases get abandoned, decommissioned, and just left to rot.

One of my friends said it would be cool to try and get some of that stuff. They figured they could get a really good price on some...

Answer 3

All bases, even abandoned ones are still part of the United States Government Arsenal. Some may not be in the best of shape, but they are kept on the rolls should the need arise to ever reactivate them. You will NOT be allowed ot purchase a base and sell its buildings for scrap.

Answer 4

Yeah, the XM8 has been canceled. The Scar-H probably won't make it if the Army calls a test though. Look up the H&K 416, I believe it is called. H&K got together with some units from JSOC, asked them what they liked about the M-16/M-4 and what they didn't like and they made a whole new weapon.

Answer 5

As for STUFF...google DEFENSE REUTILIZATION MATERIAL OFFICE for stuff available and how to get it.