Cammo Dudes

Any paranormal researchers and / or enthusiasts have probably heard of the infamous “cammo dudes” at Area 51, but did you know that they’re not military personnel at all, but rather employees of private security firm, EG&G Technical Services, Inc.? That’s right, they guard the outer perimeter of this base, and can be seen in either white Jeep Cherokees or in newer Ford / Chevy trucks. The most common sightings are usually atop a hill near the signs at Groom Lake Road, watching traffic on the road through high-powered binoculars. Once the sun sets, many have seen them patrolling Highway 375 between Groom Lake Road and Rachel at all hours, using night vision goggles when necessary. If any unauthorized persons cross the borders, they’ll be detained immediately and arrested by the Lincoln County Sheriff, along with a mandatory $750 fine. Continue reading for five more interesting things you may not have known about Area 51.

5. Was Acquired by US Air Force in 1955

Groom Lake

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 center, 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.

4. Has Multiple Names

Inside Area 51

According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the correct names for the facility are Homey Airport (ICAO: KXTA) and Groom Lake, though the name Area 51 was used in a CIA document from the Vietnam War. Other names used for the facility include Dreamland, and nicknames Paradise Ranch, Home Base and Watertown. The special use airspace around the field is referred to as Restricted Area 4808 North (R-4808N).

3. F-117 Prototype “Have Blue” Tested at Groom Lake

F-117 Area 51

The Lockheed Have Blue prototype stealth fighter (a smaller proof-of-concept model of the F-117 Nighthawk) first flew at Groom in December 1977. In 1978, the Air Force awarded a full-scale development contract for the F-117 to Lockheed Corporation’s Advanced Development Projects. On 17 January 1981 the Lockheed test team at Area 51 accepted delivery of the first full Scale Development (FSD) prototype 79-780, designated YF-117A. At 6:05am on June 18, 1981 Lockheed Skunk Works test pilot Hal Farley lifted the nose of YF-117A 79-780′ off the runway of Area 51.

2. Employees are Flown In Every Morning on Janet Airlines

Janet Airlines

Janet (Just Another Non Existent Terminal) is the secret airline operated for the United States Air Force to transport military and contractor employees to Nevada National Security Site (Area 51) from their terminal at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. Janet flights operate with a three digit flight number and a WWW-prefix. In the official publication of ICAO airline codes, this specific three-letter designator is listed as being blocked. The first flights from Las Vegas to Area 51 were performed in 1972 by a Douglas DC-6 operated by EG&G. A second Douglas DC-6 was added in 1976 and this type remained in use until 1981.

1. Bob Lazar Claims to Have Seen Alien Craft

Bob Lazar

In November 1989, Lazar appeared in a special interview with investigative reporter George Knapp on Las Vegas TV station KLAS to discuss his purported employment at “S4”, a facility he claims exists near Area 51. In his interview with Knapp, Lazar said he encountered several flying saucers. He says he first thought the saucers were secret terrestrial aircraft whose test flights must have been responsible for many UFO reports. On closer examination and from having been shown multiple briefing documents, Lazar came to the conclusion that the discs were of extraterrestrial origin. In his filmed testimony Lazar explains how this impression first hit him after he boarded one craft being studied and examined its interior.

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