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Barry King WireImage
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Area 51 (Groom Lake, Dreamland) File Photo near Rachel, Nevada (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)
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Story and Photos by Dennis Begin
Area 51 is part of American folklore, described as either a top-secret military site or a curious fascination with conspiracy and paranormal theories. Regardless, Area 51 has long been the subject of documentaries, science magazines, local Las Vegas television news and network features on 60 Minutes and CNN. The truth about Area 51 most likely lies somewhere between the myths and the facts.
When the federal government uses the phrase ‘Top Secret,' one's mind thinks of super classified files that keep the general public from knowing the truth. This certainly appears to be the case when dealing with this obscure military installation in Southern Nevada. Area 51, however, has to be the worst kept secret in American military history. This mysterious project began in 1955 when the facility was constructed to test military aircraft and weapons. Since its inception, various governments have constantly denied that Area 51 even existed. When the United States signed the Open Skies Treaty in 2002, any signing member country, including Russia, had the right to aerial surveillance. In spite of this international agreement, it was not until 2013 that the CIA would admit that Area 51 existed.
What is Area 51?
Area 51 is a designation grid pattern on a map that includes Groom Lake, Nevada. Groom Lake is a dried salt flat, approximately 3x4 miles in size and ideal for a long runway. In addition, the entire site is extremely isolated, desolate and over-shadowed by the rugged Papoose Mountains. When the area was first surveyed, it was divided into rectangles with arbitrary numbers assigned to each area, such as 51. Originally the CIA called this area ‘Paradise Ranch' or ‘Dreamland Resort', which became the military code name. Over the years, the complex has expanded and construction continues. From Tikaboo Peak, some 42 km (26 m) to the east, numerous large white hangars and a cement plant are visible. Every morning, workers arrive by bus or are flown in on a 737 by Janet Air from Las Vegas. There is little evidence to suggest that Area 51 is being decommissioned.
Rachel and the Extraterrestrial Highway 375
Believe it or not, the mysterious Area 51 is only approximately 258 km (160 mil) straight north of Las Vegas, Nevada. From Vegas, follow I-15 north to US-93, which is called ‘The Great Basin Highway'. At Alamo, you should fill up your gas tank, as there are no stations in Rachel. Passing through Ash Springs, take a left turn onto US-375, ‘The Extraterrestrial Highway'. The hamlet of Rachel is 80 km (50 mi) northwest; Population 50…..could they be aliens? You should make your first stop at The Little A'Le' Inn for information and to enjoy an Alien Burger and Cheese (ABC) for lunch. After viewing the paraphernalia in the restaurant, take a walk around the alien-themed complex. Around 1990, Pat and Joe Travis came to the conclusion that an alien theme was the best way to attract tourists to their restaurant and motel. They were right.
Getting to Area 51
There are two ways to reach Area 51 by vehicle, either the Front or Back (North) Gates, but the Back Gate is the more interesting of the two. Take the gravel road on the east side of Rachel for 19 km (11.5 mi) south, ending at a military-style gate. The gate consists of a guard shack, chain-link fence, lights, radar and two stop bars across the road.
The Front Entrance starts at Mile 29 of The Extraterrestrial Highway and is marked by the black mailbox. The original mailbox was white and belonged to a local rancher, but it has since disappeared. UFO enthusiasts use the site as a meeting place with a small shrine surrounding the box. From here, a 21 km (13-mi) gravel road leads down the Mailbox Road to join the Groom Lake Road. The Front Entrance does not have a military-style gate, other than signs and a guard shack around the corner. The entrance is supervised by two security guards (men wearing camouflage), sitting in a truck overlooking the entrance.
If you feel that someone is watching you, you are right! The perimeter of Area 51 is marked by orange stakes, motion sensors, listening devices, signs, cameras, and security guards. The guards have the authority to arrest and use "…deadly force, if necessary", as this is a "Restricted Area with No Trespassing or Photography." There is also a no-fly zone over the entire area, commonly referred to as ‘The Box'. If crossing onto the restricted area, you will be arrested, detained and fined. Despite the warning of no photography, the guards cannot stop anyone from taking photos, although taking photos of the security guards is strictly prohibited. Once past the gate, it is still 24 to 32 km (15 to 20 mi) to Groom Lake, but the general public is not welcome.
What Happens in Area 51?
That is the million dollar question! Area 51 is a military base that builds and tests aircraft. In 2013, the CIA declassified documents/photos of the Lockheed U-2 and OXCART surveillance aircraft, proving they were used for spying on the Russians. When Russia and the United States were competing in an arms race during the Cold War, a series of new planes was necessary for national security. Some of the aircraft developed were the SR71 Blackbird, the F-117A Nighthawk, the B-2 Stealth bomber, and the F-22 Stealth fighter. Each of these ‘Black Projects' planes was kept secret during the Cold War. Presently, it is rumoured that the futuristic triangular-shaped Aurora is the latest project. The strange frame and lights of the Aurora could easily be confused with UFO's often seen over Southern Nevada.
UFOs
UFOlogists have come up with their own theories of what really takes place at Area 51. They believe that work continues with secret tunnels and sub-terrain bunkers at S-4 near Papoose Lake. They also think that there are flying saucers and the little green men, who were killed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, housed in special hangars. The task of the engineers is to research alien spaceship technology with reverse engineering, especially anti-gravity propulsion. When Hollywood made the movie "Independence Day" in 1996, the federal government attempted to stop Twentieth Century Fox from showing medical experiments on aliens and even using the term Area 51. They failed!
"The Truth is Out There"
So what is the truth? From 1993 to 2002, a television series "The X-Files" featured two FBI Agents who investigated paranormal phenomena, including a two-part series called "Dreamland". Of course, no conclusion was ever reached, other than that UFOs do exist. Local residents and visitors continue to observe strange lights and flying objects over Area 51, but have produced no conclusive evidence of their origin. As for the truth about Area 51…it is still out there.
Since December 2017, the U.S. Pentagon has confirmed the existence of a real "X File" from 2007 to 2012. It was also confirmed that the program had a twenty-two million dollar budget to analyze "…anomalous aerospace threats". Luis Elizondo of the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program (AATIP), stated that the existence of UFOs is now "…beyond reasonable doubt." The Pentagon also released video footage of a UFO sighting, photographed by Commander David Fravor, a US Navy pilot off the coast of California (San Diego) in 2004.
The search continues….