1986 Map of South of Gila Bend

About this map

Luke Air Force Range dominates this landscape south of Gila Bend, illustrating the intersection of military training grounds and the arid Sonoran desert. This mid-1980s provisional study, based on 1979 aerial photography and 1980 field checks, reveals a terrain defined by complex drainage systems and isolated landmarks. Major ephemeral waterways including Quilotosa Wash, Sauceda Wash, and Sand Tank Wash carve through the basin, indicating the natural flow of seasonal runoff across the range. A singular Grave and an Observation Tower serve as distinct human markers in an otherwise utilitarian environment. The survey provides an exacting record of elevation and relief, capturing the topography as it existed during the height of the Cold War era's southwestern training operations.