10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT AREA 51

Area 51 has been a topic of conversation for nearly 60 years. Not much is known about the ultra secretive base, but as the years have passed, more information has slowly leaked out. There may be more conspiracy theories than facts out there, but where there is smoke, there is fire. Some of these theories may turn out to be true.

Located in the Nevada desert, this area is popular for tourist and pop culture. Many movies and TV shows have been made about Area 51, with perhaps the most popular being the Will Smith movie “Independence Day”. That movie was based on an alien invasion, however, the last half of the movie takes place at the base and brings certain conspiracy theories to the screen.

Here are 10 things you may not know about this highly sensitive base.

1. Area 51 is also known by its official name of Homey Airport and Groom Lake.
2. The site was acquired by the U.S. Air Force in 1955. At the time, the base was primarily used for testing of the Lockheed U-2 spy plane. The plane was used to carry out surveillance over the Soviet Union.
3. The CIA is also active at the base, and they run secret programs, such as testing new technologies. The CIA only acknowledged its existence in 2013.
4. Drones are popular now, but they have been around since at least 1964.The base was used as a testing ground for the drones, then known as D21. The D21 actually went on spying missions over China from 1969-1971.
5. Starting in the 1960’s and lasting for several decades, the base was said to have Soviet MiGs. This was during the Cold War and the US was testing the aircraft to learn about its technology. This testing was under programs called Have Doughnut, Have Drill and Have Ferry. This was combined testing with the US Navy and US Air Force. The data gained from the programs eventually formed the famous Top Gun school at NAS Miramar.
6. A program named “Have Blue” was based on the testing and development of the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter. This started in 1978. The stealth fighter eventually gained popularity in the late 80s and early 90s.
7. Area 51 has a no fly zone, not only for civilian aircraft, but also military aircraft. Security guards are stationed hundreds of miles out to stop vehicles and people from advancing any further. Weapons and photography are forbidden, and if you take a picture, the use of deadly force is authorized. Surveillance is enforced both at the base and miles from it. Hidden cameras and motion sensors are placed everywhere. For personnel who work there, there is a small fleet of aircraft know by the name “Janet”. The aircraft transfers the workers from McCarran International Airport to the base.
8. In 1974 astronauts were flying over the base and inadvertently captured photos of the location. The images taken that day were never released. The CIA haa banned this location from having photographs taken in space.
9. After the development of the F-117 Nighthawk fighter jet in the 1990s, the government turned its attention to helicopters.The helicopters were developed with similar technology as the F-117, with the intent on being used by special operation forces. In 2011 during the raid on Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, these helicopters were used in the assault.
10. Area 51 is one of many bases in the Nevada area. Questions have been asked if and how they are all connected. There are underground bases located in Nevada, including an underwater Naval base. That base is not exactly secret, but not much is known about it. People have been shocked to find out there is an underground submarine base in the middle of the Mojave Desert. That base connects to California underground, and is one of many underground bases throughout the country.