1986 Map of South of Theba

About this map

Luke Air Force Range dominates the terrain south of Gila Bend in this mid-1980s provisional survey. The landscape is defined by its military utility, featuring remote Landing Strips situated among the desert flats and isolated peaks. This map serves as a technical record of the Sonoran Desert's topography during a period when these ranges were essential for tactical training and aviation maneuvers. Unlike typical residential or agricultural maps, the area is characterized by a lack of civilian settlements, focusing instead on the relief of the desert floor and the specific facilities required for aerial operations. The topographic detail captures the sparse, functional nature of the region as it was maintained for defense purposes at the height of the Cold War era.