This may be a first to see this type of thread on here, but I just had to ask.
For some reason, I’m very interested in the Top Secret Air Force base known as “Area 51”. I don’t expect a lot of people to know that much about it, but if you don’t atleast have a basic idea of what it is, or that it exists, then you’ve been living under a rock for quite some time. I’ve read quite a bit about it, and looked at it and the surrounding area on Google Earth, and looked at maps/pictures of the area around it, and the actual base, and well, Id like to take a trip up there (its only about 5 hours to Las Vegas from here, and Area 51 is about 80 miles NW of Vegas)
Just to make things clear first off, I dont believe all the conspiracy theory BS about the base regarding UFOs and Aliens and the like. I feel that it is simply a desolate location for the US Government to develop, design, build and test new Military aircraft and weaponry. In fact, I feel that the big secret isnt meant to be geared towards US Citizens. I feel that it is so that other countries cant find out what we’re doing there. However, its a famous base, and the fact that it’s so Top Secret, and they go through such great lengths keeping people out makes me curious and fascinated as to what they do there, and maybe thats where my interest stems from. I think it would be quite something to drive up there for a couple days, and climb Tikaboo Peak and see the base from a-far, and get some pictures of the area, including the signs, and the guard shack at the back gate. I know you cant see anything, and it would be pointless, but hundreds of people do it every year from all over the world, and im sure they cant explain their interest in it any easier than I can.
Has anyone ever been there? If you havent, and have nothing to say about the base because you just don’t care, atleast share your thoughts on what they do there.
My wife and I have been to Rachel NV, its where the world famous restaurant/bar the little alien is located that has all the pics of UFO’s and aliens on the walls. Its the only town near area 51. As for the site itself, before you get to Rachel there is a unpaved road that takes you to the famous back gate where you are greeted by the camo dudes (Wackenhut Security) who let you know your presence is unwanted and a big red sign says deadly force authorized. All I can say is its worth the trip but you can’t see any of the base and every time you leave the road near the base sensors in the ground detect your movement and a welcome from the camo dudes quickly follows.
You can still see the base, but you have to climb Tikaboo Peak, and its like 25 miles from the base. Theres pictures of it all over the internet. If I were to try and see something from 25 miles away, even as big as it is, what would you recommend for a camera for taking decent pictures, and what would you recommend for a spotting scope/binoculars…etc for looking at it?
I am not to big on the use of cameras but as far as spotting scopes go use something like the Tasco 50mm rubber armored with tripod. I have one and it brings distant objects up close and personal.
With all due respect, I don’t think you should go anywhere near there.
Photos are prohibited per 18 USC 795.
Just being there is possibly already trespassing. Do you want to argue with someone who has the right to shoot you?
Here is a tasty tidbit from 50 USC 797:
Whoever willfully violates any defense property security regulation shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
I understand why you want to go but I recommend you do not.
Edwards AFB has enough history and hardware (new and old) to satisfy any aviation buff. NASA DFRC offers free tours also.
As a former Assistant United States Attorney, I agree with Rayrevolver. While some people will press the envelope regarding access to government space, I’d stay away. My friends who worked in the criminal division would likely not have much sympathy for you when the matter peculated to their desk.
I talked to a person once that claimed to have worked there for a time. I did not know this person well and think that he was full of shit, but he claims that while the facility is impressive the work done there is so very much not as cool as what people think. It just needs to be done in secret.
There are a few folks over at ar15.com who have made the trip you’re referring to. Besides, the “Area 51” threads at ar15.com are usually good for several pages of entertainment. I do, however, recommend you respect the advice of those who posted here about Federal Regs re: restricted areas.
I had an accidental run in with a similar situation when I was younger, and it made a beleiver of me about not messing with classified things…
I was a freshly minted para-trooper, just 3 days out of training. Myself and another nub decided to go to this club we heard about on the back side of pope AFB. We took off down range road in my 1 day old for ranger, and proceeded to get lost.
Mind you at the time, I had no idea that CAG actually existed, what range 19 was, or where it was.
Well we wandered around out where the DZ’s were for about 45 minutes, and being that it was pitch black, and there was no other lighting out there, we saw some lights in the distance, and headed for them. I was simply looking for directions, and had no idea what I was getting myself or my buddy into.
We pulled up to the gate, and about 2 seconds later, the brightest search lights Ive ever seen came on from all directions in front of us. A voice over a bull horn instructed us to put our hands on the roof of the car ect, then the lights went off and some nice young men with mp5s blindfolded us.
We spent the next few hours at the PMO’s and the 1st sgt of the replacement company had to come get us… needless to say he wasnt happy.
As I understand it, it was by the grace of god that we didnt end up in some very serious shit because of this. I have no desire to mess with classified shit, and I dont think you should either, use the internet, its much safer.
i know enough about the greenbriar and mt. weather, but what are you talking about in regards to the old lorton correctional facility? to my knowledge it was just a DC prison
As an airplane nut, I’ve learned that patience is a virtue.
You’ll see it.
Sometime.
I was at Oshkosh when they first brought the F117 to airshows. They made a big production out of guarding it, moving it to a secure hangar at night, etc.
That was in August. In January, I went to the USAF museum in Dayton, and they had recently put an F117 for display. You could walk all around it, walk under it, stick your head in the wheelwells, whatever.
What a difference five months made, huh?
And if you want to get shot by agents of the gov’t, just try for a closer look at Ft Knox. It’s a lot easier. You hardly have to leave the highway.
I don’t believe in aliens…I believe in Illegal Aliens. But seriously, you can’t tell me that the SR-71 Blackbird still has the fastest flight record after almost 40 years…there has to be some serous shit out there(not being specific to Area 51).
In Newport News, I remember when they started developing the old Nike Missile area to start Oyster Point Industrial Park. “City Center” is in there now too.
Several of the first buildings of Oyster Point Industrial Park were built into old bunkers… kinda cool.
(Shit… Now I have to include myself…)