The Mechanics Behind Area 51

For many years, a U.S. military base located about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Las Vegas remained one of the most open secrets in the world. Known as Area 51 among UFO enthusiasts and aviation experts, this site was the subject of speculation and secrecy, with the U.S. government long declining to acknowledge it even existed.

In August 2013, some of the secrecy surrounding Area 51 was officially lifted. Jeffrey T. Richelson, a researcher with the Washington, D.C.-based National Security Archive, a nonprofit think tank, uncovered declassified files detailing the U-2 and OXCART surveillance aircraft programs from the 1950s and 1960s. These documents frequently mentioned Area 51 and revealed it was chosen by the CIA, the U.S. Air Force, and Lockheed for its isolated location. A map included in the files even pinpointed its precise site [source: National Security Archive].

Yet even with that late revelation, rumors continued to thrive around Area 51. In the shadowy corners of internet forums, AM radio call-ins after dark, and endless movie science-fiction fantasies, it's been long rumored as the site where alien spacecraft were reverse-engineered, extraterrestrials were cloned, and the fake moon landing was staged in 1969 [source: Day]. Unsurprisingly, the government has never verified any of these tales.

"Area 51 is an enigma," wrote author Annie Jacobsen in a 2011 book exploring the mysterious base. "Very few grasp what occurs there, and millions are desperate to find out."

In this piece, we’ll explore both the known facts and the persistent theories about Area 51, piecing together the fragments available. As the classic TV series "The X-Files" reminded us: the truth is out there.

Location of Area 51

Area 51 is located at 37 degrees 14 minutes north latitude and 115 degrees 48 minutes west longitude. You can easily spot it using Google Earth—just enter "Area 51" in the "Fly To" search bar and let the map guide you there.

For years, the installation was concealed from public view. Government sources frequently removed satellite images of the site. In 1973, Skylab astronauts accidentally captured images of the base, but according to declassified reports, the CIA ensured the photos were suppressed before reaching the public [source: Day].

Then in 2000, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) released images taken by a Soviet orbital probe. These photos documented the site's evolution since the late 1960s, showcasing new buildings and an extended runway [source: Federation of American Scientists]. With tools like Google Earth now widely accessible, the veil of secrecy has largely lifted.

Groom Lake, a dry lake bed, sits adjacent to the base. To the west lies the Nevada Test Site (NTS), and the closest town is Rachel, Nev., about 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the north. The base itself covers just a portion of the over 90,000 acres (36,000 hectares) of restricted land it occupies.

The facility includes a hangar, guard post, radar antennas, residential quarters, a mess hall, administrative offices, runways, and protective shelters. These shelters, known as "scoot and hide" structures, allow aircraft to swiftly move out of satellite view. Some speculate that what’s visible above ground is just a fraction of the entire complex, claiming it's built atop an extensive subterranean network.

There are assertions that the underground base spans up to 40 levels and connects by subterranean railways to locations like Los Alamos, White Sands, and Los Angeles. However, skeptics argue such a massive build would demand a vast workforce, the displacement of massive quantities of earth, and large volumes of building materials—making it more plausible that the visible structures are all there is.

Ultimately, the public remains in the dark, as the government employs significant measures to obscure its operations at Area 51.

Area 51 Security and Secrecy

Calling Area 51 restricted would be an understatement. The base operates under extreme secrecy. Its secluded location, along with its proximity to the Nevada National Security Site—formerly the Nevada Test Site (NTS), known for nuclear testing—helps keep its activities concealed. Gaining entry requires top-level security clearance and an exclusive invite from high-ranking military or intelligence officials [source: Jacobsen].

To keep Area 51's operations hidden, the government has taken significant steps. For years, it was excluded from maps, and although it lies within the Nellis Air Force Range, the road leading to it was left undocumented. Even now, the base is surrounded by vast expanses of unoccupied desert, and the Air Force has reclaimed public land to ensure its secrecy remains intact.

In the past, curious onlookers could hike to elevated spots like White Sides Peak or Freedom Ridge for a glimpse of the base, but those vantage points have since been closed off. Today, your best bet is the tough climb up Tikaboo Peak, 26 miles (42 kilometers) away. From there, you might catch a fleeting view of runway lights flickering or an experimental aircraft lifting off—before everything fades back into darkness [source: Jacobsen].

Everyone working at Area 51—military or civilian—must sign confidentiality agreements to maintain secrecy. Many buildings lack windows, limiting visibility only to what's essential for an individual’s role. Some reports suggest that different teams would work in isolation on similar projects, unaware of each other's efforts. During secret test flights, personnel not involved were ordered to remain indoors until the aircraft returned to its hangar.

Accessing Area 51

Most employees commuting to Area 51 fly in on unmarked Boeing 737s or 727s. These flights depart from a special terminal at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, operated by defense contractor EG&G. Each aircraft uses a call sign beginning with "Janet" followed by three digits when contacting air traffic control.

The restricted airspace above Area 51, labeled R-4808N, is off-limits to all military and commercial aircraft unless they originate from the base—Janet flights being the only exception. Although Area 51 is considered part of Edwards Air Force Base in California or the Nellis Air Force Range in Nevada, pilots from those facilities are prohibited from entering its airspace. If a pilot crosses into the buffer zone around R-4808N, they can expect disciplinary action, although it's usually not too harsh.

If a pilot enters the buffer zone, training operations halt instantly and the pilot is ordered back to base. Deliberately flying into the R-4808N airspace is far more serious—offenders risk court-martial, dishonorable discharge, and potentially prison time.

Area 51 is officially designated as a Military Operating Area (MOA). While there are no fences surrounding it, orange markers and warning signs clearly define its boundaries. These signs prohibit photography and caution that trespassing is punishable by fines—and that security has authorization to use lethal force if necessary.

Among conspiracy theorists, stories abound about truth seekers who may have met grim fates while wandering near Area 51. However, most believe that trespassers are typically handled without violence.

The perimeter is regularly patrolled by pairs of men who don’t seem to be active military. These guards, often referred to as "camo dudes" due to their desert camouflage gear, are likely private security from companies like Wackenhut or EG&G. They use four-wheel-drive vehicles to monitor the area and generally act as a deterrent, alerting the local sheriff if anyone seems suspicious.

Occasionally, these guards confront trespassers—allegedly confiscating film or recording devices and using intimidation. Sometimes, helicopters are dispatched for backup, and there are claims that the choppers engage in harassment tactics, such as hovering low over intruders.

Among Area 51’s layered defenses are motion sensors buried along its perimeter. These devices are said to differentiate between humans and animals—a necessary feature since the area doubles as a wildlife preserve, where random animal movement is common and must not trigger false alarms.

Some speculate that these sensors can even detect ammonia-based scent signatures to identify the type of intruder. While unverified, buried sensors have been confirmed to exist. Chuck Clark, a resident of nearby Rachel, reportedly located several of them. The FBI accused him of tampering with the devices and demanded he return a missing sensor or face a fine. Clark denied taking it but agreed to cease his probing [source: Braverman].

Next, we'll explore the reasons behind all this secrecy and protection by diving into the experimental aircraft tested at Area 51.

Area 51 Aircraft

The Air Force defines the mission of the facility as "the testing of technologies and systems training for operations critical to the effectiveness of U.S. military forces and the security of the United States." For decades, these high-stakes experiments remained behind a veil of secrecy until 2013, when declassified documents finally shed light on the U-2 program of the 1950s and 60s.

Even with heavy efforts to conceal its purpose, full secrecy at Area 51 has proven elusive. The following are several confirmed programs developed at the site:

Area 51 Projects

There are also rumors about other mysterious aircraft that may or may not have been tested at Area 51, but the details remain unclear.

What new initiatives might be in progress at Area 51 today? While the focus on UAV technology continues, some secret project enthusiasts speculate about potential projects.

One possibility is a stealth transport aircraft, designed to move troops in and out of conflict zones undetected. There is a growing need for a vehicle that combines effective and stealthy vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) abilities. The V-22 Osprey already possesses VTOL, but many critics argue it doesn't meet military objectives effectively. Another potential development could be a stealth helicopter, though rumors suggest such helicopters may already be in operation, even if not yet publicly acknowledged.

Some theorists suggest that a stealth plane could be developed to neutralize ground targets specifically. To date, most stealth aircraft are focused on surveillance or air-to-air combat. There’s also a demand for aircraft capable of rapid worldwide deployment in a matter of hours. Rumors about projects like the Aurora plane and other hypersonic vehicles fit into this category. There are also whispers about research into technologies such as cloaking, proton beams, and even antigravity devices.

These potential projects are just the beginning of the speculated developments. However, Area 51 is arguably more famous for its alleged connection to aliens and UFOs than for any of these classified aircraft.

Area 51 and Aliens

There are those who believe an alien spacecraft crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, and that the wreckage, along with the body of an extraterrestrial being, was transported to Area 51 for further investigation. Others contend that the base has subterranean levels connected by tunnels leading to other top-secret locations, housing vast quantities of alien technology and even living extraterrestrials.

Some conspiracy theorists go even further, suggesting that aliens themselves are in control, with the ultimate goal of creating a hybrid race of humans and aliens (since the aliens are allegedly no longer capable of reproducing on their own). The depictions of aliens vary widely, from kind-hearted visitors to malevolent rulers who survive on a gruesome paste made from human parts. Despite public denials from the Air Force regarding any alien involvement at Area 51, these refutations seem to fuel even wilder theories among believers.

On June 24, 1947, Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine objects flying in a V-shaped formation while flying his private plane over Washington state. He described their movement as resembling that of a saucer skipping across water, which led to the coining of the term "flying saucer" [source: History].

In July 1947, a mysterious object crashed on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. The Roswell Army Air Field initially issued a statement from Gen. William "Butch" Blanchard, claiming that the wreckage of an unidentified flying object, or UFO, had been recovered. However, the Army quickly retracted the announcement, clarifying that the object was merely a weather balloon. Despite the retraction, the original statement had already been published in several newspapers [source: History, The Roswell Files]. The incident was mostly forgotten until the 1970s when nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman published a book suggesting that the crash was the result of extraterrestrial activity.

In the 1990s, documents that were declassified revealed that the object recovered at Roswell was actually a balloon designed for a covert surveillance project known as Project Mogul. The official weather balloon story was merely a cover for this classified program. However, UFO enthusiasts argue that the spy balloon explanation itself is a cover-up and claim that the Army truly retrieved an alien spacecraft.

Reverse Engineering at Area 51

In 1989, Robert Lazar made headlines when he appeared on television, revealing that he had been involved in a secret military operation focused on alien technology. Lazar claimed that the government had at least nine extraterrestrial craft at a facility called S-4, located near Groom Lake. He described seeing a poster of a UFO hovering several feet off the ground with the caption, "They're Here!" This was the first time an 'insider' had come forward to disclose such information.

Lazar stated that he had been hired by EG&G to assist in reverse-engineering the alien technology to be adapted for U.S. military vehicles and energy production. According to him, he discovered a strange, heavy substance, which he named "Element 115," that served as the power source for the alien ships.

Lazar's revelations sparked a surge in public interest regarding UFOs and Area 51. However, many skeptics began to investigate his claims, and found numerous inconsistencies. For instance, Lazar claimed to hold master's degrees from CalTech and MIT, but no records exist to suggest he ever attended these institutions. Lazar maintained that the government was working to erase his existence in order to discredit him.

Furthermore, both the Air Force and Los Alamos National Laboratories denied that Lazar had ever worked for them. In 2013, a journalist attempted to reach out to him for the 25th anniversary of his allegations, but was informed that, "Mr. Lazar no longer involves himself in matters related to the topic of UFOs" [source: Rojas].

One widely circulated belief among Lazar's supporters is that much of modern technology has been developed through the reverse engineering of alien spacecraft. Everything from radios to superconductors is said to be the result of adapting alien technology. These proponents argue that it would be impossible for humans to develop such technologies so rapidly without extraterrestrial influence. Some even suggest that pilots at Area 51 are using alien tech to fight against aliens, shooting them down and recovering the parts for military use.

Click here to explore deeper into the mysteries surrounding Area 51.

Not all conspiracy theories about Area 51 involve extraterrestrial beings. Some theories suggest the existence of a secretive network, or a coalition of organizations, working toward establishing a New World Order. According to these theories, the UFO sightings and reverse-engineering stories are just distractions, diverting the public's attention from their true goal — global domination.

One prominent theory, shared by Lazar and other UFO enthusiasts, speaks of a covert group known as MJ-12, also referred to as Majestic or Majic 12. This secretive organization reportedly consisted of a dozen highly influential figures, including President Harry S. Truman, top CIA officials, and powerful businessmen. Various documents, allegedly connected to this group, have surfaced, largely through UFO researcher William L. Moore, including papers signed by the President.

Skeptics carefully examined these MJ-12 documents and discovered numerous indicators of their inauthenticity, such as signatures seemingly lifted from other official sources and pasted onto the alleged MJ-12 papers [sources: UFO Casebook, FBI]. In response, conspiracy theorists dismiss the skeptics, claiming they are either duped or working for the government to mislead the public.

Some theorists argue that even if the MJ-12 documents are fabricated, they might be official counterfeits created by the government to mislead the public. Many supporters of the MJ-12 theory belong to distinct factions, with each group accusing the others of spreading disinformation to conceal the truth.

The most extreme alien theories related to Area 51 claim that not only are extraterrestrials present on Earth, but they are in control. According to these ideas, the U.S. government has secretly allowed aliens to abduct people at will, conduct experiments on them, and even turn them into a paste for nourishment.

Other theorists propose that the aliens are attempting to use humans to create hybrid beings, as they are no longer capable of reproducing themselves. Some reports offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting there have been firefights between government forces and aliens, which ultimately led to the government regaining control.

In UFO enthusiast circles, Hangar 18 is the fabled building that allegedly houses a captured alien spacecraft and even an extraterrestrial being. However, the exact location of Hangar 18 is disputed among believers, with some claiming the hangar at Area 51 is the very same Hangar 18.

Spotting UFOs at Area 51

Given that Area 51's airspace is regularly used for test flights and military training, it's highly likely (and even expected) that you'll witness aircraft flying overhead. On occasion, these aircraft may appear unusual, perhaps even unrecognizable to the average observer. Even common aircraft can sometimes deceive the eye, making you think you've encountered something extraterrestrial.

Skeptics highlight that many UFO sightings occur just around the time the Janet flights arrive at the base each day. Several of the classified programs at Area 51 do feature aircraft that look quite alien. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in particular, seem odd due to their lack of a cockpit or doors. Moreover, many training exercises involve launching bright flares to divert missile fire or simply to create distractions while secret aircraft perform maneuvers.

A well-known spot for UFO watchers is the "Black Mailbox" along Nevada Highway 375, also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway. This mailbox, owned by a local rancher, gained fame after Robert Lazar claimed it was the location he used to bring people to witness scheduled test flights of alien spacecraft. Today, the mailbox has been painted white, and the rancher has repeatedly stated that he doesn't believe any of the flying craft are of alien origin [source: Powers].

In the next section, we'll explore some of the controversies surrounding Area 51.

Area 51 Controversies

Employees at Area 51 have faced harsh working conditions from the very beginning. In the 1950s, when the base was primarily focused on testing the U-2 spy plane, the CIA had to halt operations and evacuate the site due to nuclear testing at the nearby Nevada Test Site (NTS).

At times, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) would give advance notice of scheduled tests, allowing residents in the area to evacuate if necessary. However, there were also occasions when the tests were conducted without any prior warning. The mushroom clouds from these tests could be seen from towns up to 100 miles (161 kilometers) away. Las Vegas residents would often take trips to nearby peaks to picnic while watching the explosive displays in the distance.

In 1957, a test named HOOD was part of a larger initiative known as Operation Plumbbob, aimed at assessing whether damaged nuclear bombs emitted dangerous levels of radiation. The AEC set off a 74-kiloton nuclear device 1,500 feet (457 meters) above Area 9 of the Nevada Test Site (NTS). This marked the largest airburst detonation ever conducted over the continental United States [source: Department of Energy].

The AEC didn't announce the test in advance, though they did order a precautionary evacuation of Area 51. The explosion caused only minor damage, such as broken windows and doors. However, the bigger concern was the radiation, and over the years, the soil around Area 51 has absorbed substantial amounts of radiation due to numerous nuclear tests.

Area 51 Cleanup Efforts

In 1980, the government initiated a program to remove irradiated soil from the vicinity of Groom Lake. Satellite imagery confirmed that crews excavated and removed vast quantities of dirt. Nearby cities saw an uptick in cancer rates, leading many residents to sue the government, claiming that the tests had caused their illnesses, with varying outcomes in the courts.

Another environmental risk at Area 51 involved the disposal of classified technologies and vehicles. In the 1980s, workers at the site dug large open pits and dumped toxic materials into them. These materials were then burned using jet fuel, exposing the workers to dangerous chemicals and fumes [source: Leiby].

A lawsuit filed against several government officials revealed that workers at Area 51 had requested safety equipment, such as breathing masks, but were denied due to budget constraints. When they inquired about bringing their own protective gear, they were told they could only bring gloves for security reasons, as outside equipment was not allowed on the base.

Several civilian workers fell ill due to their exposure to hazardous materials, and two of them tragically passed away. Helen Frost, the widow of Robert Frost (an Area 51 employee), along with other workers from Groom Lake, teamed up with attorney Jonathan Turley to file the lawsuit [source: Leiby].

A key element in the lawsuit that sparked significant controversy in Area 51 circles was the submission of an unclassified security manual as evidence. Turley argued that the manual not only confirmed the base's existence but also demonstrated that the government was aware of the dangers posed by handling hazardous waste and had acted negligently toward the employees. The government subsequently retroactively classified the manual, and Judge Philip Pro ruled it inadmissible. Some have claimed the manual is a fake, but if so, it raises the question: why would the government classify a fake document?

In September 1995, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order that exempted Area 51 from disclosing the results of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigations into the site. The order referred to Area 51 as 'the Air Force's operating location near Groom Lake, Nevada.' Judge Pro eventually dismissed the lawsuit, claiming that investigating the allegations would compromise national security. Turley argued that this set a troubling precedent, allowing the government to conceal crimes under the guise of national security and avoiding accountability to the public.

Although Area 51 is still subject to inspections by the EPA to ensure compliance with environmental standards, the results of these inspections remain classified and cannot be released. Many critics argue that the lack of transparency allows the facility to avoid accountability. Clinton's executive order permits these reports to stay sealed, even though the law mandates that such reports be made available to the public.

In the following section, we'll take a closer look at Rachel, Nevada, a small town that has garnered significant attention due to its proximity to Area 51.

Living in the Shadow of Area 51

You may think that living near a place like Area 51 could make people a bit unusual, and a trip to Rachel, Nevada, might just confirm that. The town, home to 48 residents according to the 2020 census, is full of independent individuals with a distinct sense of eccentricity.

As former Rachel resident Glenn Campbell explains, the official history of Rachel began on March 22, 1978, at exactly 5:45 p.m. Not many towns can pinpoint their founding to such precision. Campbell notes that it was on this date that power companies first brought electricity to the Sand Springs Valley. Prior to this, the area was sparsely inhabited, with only a few farmers and a mining company in the region [source: Campbell and Grover].

In the 1970s, a handful of adventurous settlers came to the valley, seeking a life of independence and freedom from interference. Among them were the Jones family, who became notable in the community after the birth of Rachel Jones, the first child born in the valley. The community, feeling that the name Sand Springs lacked character, chose to rename the town after the baby. Tragically, Rachel Jones passed away from a respiratory illness at the age of three, and the Jones family left soon after [source: Campbell and Grover].

Rachel may not have many attractions, but it does boast a motel and café called the Little A'Le'Inn (a clever play on words) as well as a general store named the Alien Cowpoke.

The town is home to a variety of interesting characters, many of whom have their own theories about Area 51. Some work for the Air Force, but that's as much as you'll learn from them. Pat and Joe Travis run the Little A'Le'Inn and have turned the place into a business selling alien-themed T-shirts and souvenirs. However, most of Rachel's residents will tell you that they believe the UFOs people see are simply flares, UAVs, or military aircraft on training exercises.

Glenn Campbell founded the Area 51 Research Center and regularly visited a spot he dubbed Freedom Ridge, where he could observe the base from several miles away legally. He also published a newsletter, 'The Desert Rat,' to keep people informed about activities at the base. Campbell campaigned against what he saw as unnecessary government secrecy, arguing that it fostered public mistrust. He has since shifted his focus and no longer resides in Rachel.

The residents of Rachel seem to view the attention their town receives with a kind of amused tolerance. To them, sonic booms at night and spectacular light displays are simply a part of everyday life. Nearly everyone in the valley has had to replace a window shattered by a sonic boom or has come across a piece of airplane wreckage, as Area 51's history includes a number of dramatic crashes.

Next, we'll explore a timeline of Area 51, tracing its history from its inception to the present day.

A Brief History of Area 51

During World War II, the Army Air Corps (the precursor to today's Air Force) constructed several airstrips in Nevada, including two smaller runways at Groom Lake. The area was initially designated as the Army Air Corps Gunnery School. After the 1940s, however, these runways were abandoned [source: Mahood].

In the early 1950s, the CIA collaborated with Lockheed to develop high-altitude aircraft designed for surveillance missions. The project was led by Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson from Lockheed, who assembled a team of engineers and test pilots that later became known as Skunk Works. This department gained a reputation for being highly secretive and intensely focused on achieving their objectives.

Both the CIA and Johnson understood that maintaining secrecy was crucial to the project's success. Johnson needed to find a secluded site for the development and testing of these aircraft. The location had to be remote enough to avoid public attention yet accessible enough to facilitate supplies from nearby cities. It also had to be easily reachable by aircraft and not interfere with commercial or military air traffic. The area had to provide enough space for a large workforce, both military and civilian.

In 1955, Johnson, accompanied by test pilot Tony LeVier, CIA special assistant Richard Bissell, and Air Force liaison Colonel Osmond Ritland, traveled to Nevada to scout potential locations for their operations. Ritland, who had trained at the Gunnery School, recommended the area around Groom Lake. Johnson evaluated the site and determined it was perfect for their needs [source: Merlin].

Johnson named the area 'Paradise Ranch' in an effort to encourage workers to relocate there. Over time, the name was shortened to simply 'The Ranch.'

Four months after construction began, the first U-2 test flights were conducted, and President Dwight Eisenhower issued an executive order restricting airspace over Groom Lake. The CIA, the Atomic Energy Commission, and Lockheed jointly managed the base's operations. Eventually, control of the site was transferred to the Department of Energy and the Air Force.

Chronology of Events at Area 51

The following is a timeline of significant events that took place shortly after the establishment of Area 51 [sources: Mahood, Merlin, Collins, Jacobsen]: