No Result
View All Result
Defensionem - The WarBible
  • Login
  • Register
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
PRICING
SUBSCRIBE
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Defensionem
Login

Paradise Ranch: The “Real” Area 51

by Patrick Morrison
6 years ago
Reading Time: 9 mins read
0 0
0

Area 51

RELATED POSTS

Red Winter for Ukraine?

HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War

Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?

U.F.O.s…..

Alien Bodies….

Underground bunkers that house flying saucers, both alien and man made….

These are usually the first thing that comes to mind once the name, “Area 51” is dropped; The (Not So) secret military base located deep in the Nevada desert and far away from any prying eyes. Over the years Area 51 has gained a almost mythical status in pop culture as the facility has been featured in numerous books, television series and more than a few movies. But what do we really know about this air base in the middle of nowhere? Where does fiction end and facts begin?

What is the “Real” Area 51?

For one thing the base itself is actually a detachment of Edwards Air Force Base, within the Nevada Test and Training Range. Built on a dry lake bed (Groom Lake), the base itself is surrounded by a number mountain ranges and harsh, unforgiving desert terrain. Yet the first flights to take place there actually occurred during World War 2 when the United States Army Air Corp operated 2 unpaved landing strips on the lake bed known as the Indian Springs Auxiliary Air Force Field.

Buy JNews
ADVERTISEMENT
Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Clarence Leonard “Kelly” Johnson. The “Father” of Area 51

 

The base we know as Area 51 would not really get its start until 1955, when the C.I.A. began “Project Aquatone”: A program which would ultimately lead to the development to the U-2 Spy Plane. Interestingly, it is legendary aircraft designer Kelly Johnson who could be seen as the Father of Area 51, as he was the one who selected the site after noting just how remote the location of the lake bed was. Not to mention that the lake bed had the perfect surface to construct the long run ways which would be needed to test out the U-2. While the surrounding mountain ranges more or less hid the facility from the outside world.

To encourage workers to move out into the area, Johnson named the facility “Paradise Ranch”, a designation which the base is sometimes called even to this day. The name “Area 51” actually came from where the base was located, Groom Lake was located in a grid marked as “Area 51” on the map. It would be this remote location and hostile environment which ultimately made Area 51 the primary facility to test new/experimental aircraft in the years to come.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
U-2, first aircraft to be tested in Groom Lake

 

In 1959, Area 51 received the first of many expansions and upgrades. As the existing facilities would not be adequate for the next major program to take place. In 1960, a new 8500 foot runway was laid down to replace the existing one. This was followed up in 1961 with the construction of new hangers,maintenance and machine shops (which were converted from older U-2 hangers), storage buildings, administration, flight tower and even recreation facilities like a base ball field. In all these upgrades would take 4 years to complete, though the base’s next program would begin before these upgrades were completed.

In early 1962, the next aircraft to be tested at Groom Lake arrived in crates after being transported by a convoy of trucks. After assembly, the aircraft took off in April of the same year to conduct flight testing. The program in question was code named OXCART and the aircraft in question was the Lockheed A-12, and ultimately 9 of these aircraft would be stationed at Area 51 before they were phased out in 1967.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Lockheed A-12

But the A-12 was not the only aircraft to be received at Area 51 in the sixties, as the base also received :

8 x F-101 Voodoos.

2 x T-33 Shooting Stars

1 x C-130 Hurcules

1 x U-3A

1 Search and Rescue Helicopter

1 Cessna 180 and 1 F-104 Star Fighter

Basically a small air force had been created for this base which officially did not exist, but not all aircraft which were based there were American made. As the years went by, the USAF began to store a collection Soviet made aircraft and equipment at the facility for both testing and evaluation. Most notably the lease of a former Iraqi MiG-21F from Israel in 1968 and later a ex-Syrian MiG-17F  in 1969. These aircraft, among many others, were flown by American pilots to determine both their strength and weaknesses in a dog fight. The information gained during these flights were used in both training future fighter pilots and developing future fighter aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle.

Even today there are rumors that the United States still operates a number of Russian made aircraft out of their Groom lake facility for training. As recently photos have emerged showing what looked like a Su-27/30 engaged in a mock dogfight with a F-16 over Area 51.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Ex-Syrian MiG-17 leased to the USAF by Israel

 

As the years passed, the secret base has gone under numerous expansions and upgrades as new programs enter the facility. Today Area 51 is still alive and operational, as personnel still travel to the base either by unmarked Boeing-737 aircraft which fly out of Las Vegas (Janet Flights), or unmarked, white buses which drive through the desert on unpaved roads that lead to the base.

Security around Area 51 is tight, white SUVs and pick-up trucks can often be seen on the out lying hill with men in camo suits inside them. Lovingly known as the “Camo Dudes/Camo Guys”, they usually patrol the edges of the base and to deter would be trespassers from crossing the perimeter. Couple this with numerous motion sensors and CCTV positions dotted across the landscape, and it’s more than likely they will know you are coming.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Area 51 base security. A.K.A., “Camo Dudes”

Don’t even bother with attemping to fly over the base to get a look ether, as the air space around the Area 51 is closed off to any and all civilian air traffic and had been since the 1960’s. It is a military installation after all, and they have been know to scramble fighters to intercept any aircraft who violates their air space. Obviously you could use Google Earth to locate the facility, but you would never see any air craft on the tarmac or runway. Believe me, I have tried.

But of course, Area 51 is famous for a reason and for years, many people have reported Unidentified Flying Objects flying around the base. Obviously this is evidence that the base had access to aircraft and technology that are beyond any we have on Earth, surly they have alien craft there right? Well…. most likely not.

You have to remember that Area 51 has played host to numerous Black projects over the years. Any of whom were radical designs which looked nothing that was already flying at the time. Sometimes they would be flying for a few years in secret before the Government came out and said such an aircraft existed. This was the case for the F-117 Night Hawk, B-2 Stealth, even the SR-71 and U-2. All these aircraft were conducting test flights out of Groom lake when they were first seen by eyewitnesses, and to them, these aircraft may have looked too fantastic to be man made. That just might be the case today, as people in the area continue to report seeing strange lights and aircraft in the skies above Groom lake .

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Tacit Blue (Above), Have Blue (Below)

Even black projects like the Northrop “Tacit Blue” and the Lockheed “Have Blue” demonstrator aircraft may have been responsible a number of Unidentified Flying Object sightings which were seen in the late 70’s and mid 80’s.

Though that has not stopped people from around the world from venturing to the Nevada desert in hopes of discovering the truth for themselves. Interestingly Area 51 has become a bit of a tourist attraction in the State, pumping a lot of money into the local economy. Even a near by highway was renamed “The Extraterrestrial Highway”.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
B-2, responsible for many UFO sightings in the past

But in recent years, it had been speculated that Area 51 may no longer be the primary research facility for the Air Force. As it has been suggested that some projects have been transferred to other facilities  such as Wright Patterson Air Force Base and Dugway Proving Grounds. But despite this, Area 51 is still very much active and to this day and is still believed to be the home for many supposed black projects.

Paradise Ranch: The real Area 51
Satellite view of Area 51

 

When you think about it, Area 51 isn’t really all that different from any other military base on Earth. But it has a legacy which has been engraved into popular culture because of its mysterious nature. Obviously we may never know just what is going on beyond the signs that tells people to stay out, but you have to admit it is fun to speculate.

Share38TweetSend

Patrick Morrison

Name is Patrick, I live on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and I have had an interest in military history and news since I was young. I like to focus on the lesser known events in military history, as well as highlight countries and regions you normally don't hear about often. So i hope i am able to inform you correctly and make you a little more aware of the world around you.

Related Posts

Red Winter for Ukraine?
Donbass/Crimea Watch

Red Winter for Ukraine?

November 28, 2021
522
HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War
Russia

HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War

June 26, 2021
197
Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?
Donbass/Crimea Watch

Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?

April 19, 2021
185
Post-war Germany: A tale of two armies
History

Post-war Germany: A tale of two armies

April 17, 2021
75
The Fulcrum: When it's good but it's bad
Aviation

The Fulcrum: When it’s good but it’s bad

April 16, 2021
122
Russia's military build-up along its Western border
Russia

Russia’s military build-up along its Western border

April 10, 2021
36
Next Post

Trump’s Bellicose UN Speech - Right Tactic for North Korea

U.S. Marines at the Battle of Derna

The Barbary Wars: The First War on Terror

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Books
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • Countries
  • Short Posts
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Libyan Conflict Watch
  • Subscription Plans
  • Our Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write For Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Search

No Result
View All Result

Tags

Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Belgium Chechnya China Crimea CSTO Donbass Donetsk egypt EuroMaidan Foxhound Germany India Israel Kh-22 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Kosovo Luhansk MiG-31 Moscow Nagorno-Karabakh NATO Operation Allied Force Operation Noble Anvil Pantsir S1 Russia Russian navy S-300 S-400 Soviet Union Syria T-72B T-90M Tu-95 Turkey Ukraine USA VKS Vladimir Putin WWI WWII Yugoslavia

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

No Result
View All Result
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Log In ×
Forgot your Password?
Login With OTP
Resend OTP(00:30)
Don't have an account?
Signup
Resend OTP(00:30)
Back to login

Resend OTP (00:30)
Back to login
  • (+93) Afghanistan
  • (+355) Albania
  • (+213) Algeria
  • (+1) American Samoa
  • (+376) Andorra
  • (+244) Angola
  • (+1) Anguilla
  • (+1) Antigua
  • (+54) Argentina
  • (+374) Armenia
  • (+297) Aruba
  • (+61) Australia
  • (+43) Austria
  • (+994) Azerbaijan
  • (+973) Bahrain
  • (+880) Bangladesh
  • (+1) Barbados
  • (+375) Belarus
  • (+32) Belgium
  • (+501) Belize
  • (+229) Benin
  • (+1) Bermuda
  • (+975) Bhutan
  • (+591) Bolivia
  • (+599) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • (+387) Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • (+267) Botswana
  • (+55) Brazil
  • (+246) British Indian Ocean Territory
  • (+1) British Virgin Islands
  • (+673) Brunei
  • (+359) Bulgaria
  • (+226) Burkina Faso
  • (+257) Burundi
  • (+855) Cambodia
  • (+237) Cameroon
  • (+1) Canada
  • (+238) Cape Verde
  • (+1) Cayman Islands
  • (+236) Central African Republic
  • (+235) Chad
  • (+56) Chile
  • (+86) China
  • (+57) Colombia
  • (+269) Comoros
  • (+682) Cook Islands
  • (+225) Côte d'Ivoire
  • (+506) Costa Rica
  • (+385) Croatia
  • (+53) Cuba
  • (+599) Curaçao
  • (+357) Cyprus
  • (+420) Czech Republic
  • (+243) Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • (+45) Denmark
  • (+253) Djibouti
  • (+1) Dominica
  • (+1) Dominican Republic
  • (+593) Ecuador
  • (+20) Egypt
  • (+503) El Salvador
  • (+240) Equatorial Guinea
  • (+291) Eritrea
  • (+372) Estonia
  • (+251) Ethiopia
  • (+500) Falkland Islands
  • (+298) Faroe Islands
  • (+691) Federated States of Micronesia
  • (+679) Fiji
  • (+358) Finland
  • (+33) France
  • (+594) French Guiana
  • (+689) French Polynesia
  • (+241) Gabon
  • (+995) Georgia
  • (+49) Germany
  • (+233) Ghana
  • (+350) Gibraltar
  • (+30) Greece
  • (+299) Greenland
  • (+1) Grenada
  • (+590) Guadeloupe
  • (+1) Guam
  • (+502) Guatemala
  • (+44) Guernsey
  • (+224) Guinea
  • (+245) Guinea-Bissau
  • (+592) Guyana
  • (+509) Haiti
  • (+504) Honduras
  • (+852) Hong Kong
  • (+36) Hungary
  • (+354) Iceland
  • (+91) India
  • (+62) Indonesia
  • (+98) Iran
  • (+964) Iraq
  • (+353) Ireland
  • (+44) Isle Of Man
  • (+972) Israel
  • (+39) Italy
  • (+1) Jamaica
  • (+81) Japan
  • (+44) Jersey
  • (+962) Jordan
  • (+7) Kazakhstan
  • (+254) Kenya
  • (+686) Kiribati
  • (+965) Kuwait
  • (+996) Kyrgyzstan
  • (+856) Laos
  • (+371) Latvia
  • (+961) Lebanon
  • (+266) Lesotho
  • (+231) Liberia
  • (+218) Libya
  • (+423) Liechtenstein
  • (+370) Lithuania
  • (+352) Luxembourg
  • (+853) Macau
  • (+389) Macedonia
  • (+261) Madagascar
  • (+265) Malawi
  • (+60) Malaysia
  • (+960) Maldives
  • (+223) Mali
  • (+356) Malta
  • (+692) Marshall Islands
  • (+596) Martinique
  • (+222) Mauritania
  • (+230) Mauritius
  • (+262) Mayotte
  • (+52) Mexico
  • (+373) Moldova
  • (+377) Monaco
  • (+976) Mongolia
  • (+382) Montenegro
  • (+1) Montserrat
  • (+212) Morocco
  • (+258) Mozambique
  • (+95) Myanmar
  • (+264) Namibia
  • (+674) Nauru
  • (+977) Nepal
  • (+31) Netherlands
  • (+687) New Caledonia
  • (+64) New Zealand
  • (+505) Nicaragua
  • (+227) Niger
  • (+234) Nigeria
  • (+683) Niue
  • (+672) Norfolk Island
  • (+850) North Korea
  • (+1) Northern Mariana Islands
  • (+47) Norway
  • (+968) Oman
  • (+92) Pakistan
  • (+680) Palau
  • (+970) Palestine
  • (+507) Panama
  • (+675) Papua New Guinea
  • (+595) Paraguay
  • (+51) Peru
  • (+63) Philippines
  • (+48) Poland
  • (+351) Portugal
  • (+1) Puerto Rico
  • (+974) Qatar
  • (+242) Republic of the Congo
  • (+40) Romania
  • (+262) Runion
  • (+7) Russia
  • (+250) Rwanda
  • (+290) Saint Helena
  • (+1) Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • (+508) Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • (+1) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • (+685) Samoa
  • (+378) San Marino
  • (+239) Sao Tome and Principe
  • (+966) Saudi Arabia
  • (+221) Senegal
  • (+381) Serbia
  • (+248) Seychelles
  • (+232) Sierra Leone
  • (+65) Singapore
  • (+1) Sint Maarten
  • (+421) Slovakia
  • (+386) Slovenia
  • (+677) Solomon Islands
  • (+252) Somalia
  • (+27) South Africa
  • (+82) South Korea
  • (+211) South Sudan
  • (+34) Spain
  • (+94) Sri Lanka
  • (+1) St. Lucia
  • (+249) Sudan
  • (+597) Suriname
  • (+268) Swaziland
  • (+46) Sweden
  • (+41) Switzerland
  • (+963) Syria
  • (+886) Taiwan
  • (+992) Tajikistan
  • (+255) Tanzania
  • (+66) Thailand
  • (+1) The Bahamas
  • (+220) The Gambia
  • (+670) Timor-Leste
  • (+228) Togo
  • (+690) Tokelau
  • (+676) Tonga
  • (+1) Trinidad and Tobago
  • (+216) Tunisia
  • (+90) Turkey
  • (+993) Turkmenistan
  • (+1) Turks and Caicos Islands
  • (+688) Tuvalu
  • (+1) U.S. Virgin Islands
  • (+256) Uganda
  • (+380) Ukraine
  • (+971) United Arab Emirates
  • (+44) United Kingdom
  • (+1) United States
  • (+598) Uruguay
  • (+998) Uzbekistan
  • (+678) Vanuatu
  • (+58) Venezuela
  • (+84) Vietnam
  • (+681) Wallis and Futuna
  • (+212) Western Sahara
  • (+967) Yemen
  • (+260) Zambia
  • (+263) Zimbabwe
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?