Aliens? Exotic weapons? There is a lot of speculation (and conspiracy theories) surrounding the activities that go on at Area 51.
Especially since the Roswell incident, where an unidentified flying object crashed, people have speculated that aliens are being experimented on there, and that the US government is reverse engineering advanced alien technology. But whats the official story?
The United States Air Force facility commonly known as Area 51 is a highly classified remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base, within the Nevada Test and Training Range. According to the CIA, the correct names for the facility are Homey Airport and Groom Lake, though the name Area 51 was used in a CIA document from the Vietnam War.
The base’s current primary purpose is publicly unknown, but based on historical evidence, it most likely supports the development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems.
Area 51 is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles (134 km) north-northwest of Las Vegas. Situated at its centre, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield. The site was acquired by the United States Air Force in 1955, primarily for the flight testing of the Lockheed U-2 aircraft. The area around Area 51, including the small town of Rachel on the “Extraterrestrial Highway”, is a popular tourist destination, with many conspiracy theorists visiting yearly.
The Security
Security is very tight in and around area 51, which adds to the theories suggesting the US government is hiding something from the public.
The perimeter of the base is marked out by orange posts and patrolled by guards in white pickup trucks and camouflage fatigues. The guards are popularly referred to as “camo dudes” by enthusiasts. The guards will not answer questions about their employers; however, according to the New York Daily News, there are indications they are employed through a contractor such as AECOM. Signage around the base perimeter advises that deadly force is authorised against trespassers.
Technology is also heavily used to maintain the border of the base; this includes CCTV cameras and motion detectors. Some of these motion detectors are placed some distance away from the base on public land to notify guards of people approaching.
