The government is buying me a free watch?
What is “CAG” and “Range 19”
If you really want to see the base (and drive all over it), enlist in the USAF as Military Police. 
I am sure they would LOVE to have you!
Having spent my time in the USN as a Cryptologist working classified missions, being stationed at classified bases and riding unmarked classified ships, I can honestly say that most of what goes on is rather boring/mundane.
C4
You know, I’ve never been the type to tell someone that they are wrong about something, especially on a forum where I dont know who Im talking about, because I hate to insult someone by questioning what they say. I wasnt going to state my opinion, because I didnt want this to turn into a flame war, or an argument about whos right and whos wrong and why, but I need to make a few statements.
First off, Ive never been to Area 51. But I have read A LOT of information posted by people who have, and people that do research on the installation, and they make their security out to be much more timid than everyone on here is stating.
The security for the base is simply a private contracted security force owned by EG&G, who does all the contract work for the base. Ive heard that they use Wackenhut Security, but I can neither confirm nor deny this claim. From what I understand, Security for the base, AKA the “Camo-Dudes” have orders to NOT approach anyone unless its necessary. They try to avoid confrontation unless someone does something stupid, like go passed the signs.
I work on a small Auxiliary AFB in southern Arizona. I’m a Civilian Contractor just like I’m sure most of the people at the Groom Lake facility. The only difference between our Security and theres, is they have a much larger responsibility, MUCH more training I’m fairly certain, and better equipment. I’ve seen their Security Forces handbook, and they have the same QC Evaluation process as we do. To be honest, I’m sure our base is ran very similarly to theirs. We have the same exact “Restricted Area” and “The Use of Deadly Force” signs that they do, and we cant just shoot someone for crossing them. Just because it says “The Use of Deadly Force is Authorized” doesnt mean anything. It just says that they are authorized to use any force, including deadly force once you cross the restricted area. That is the one thing I was taught about working on the Flightline at work.
All that being said, I think I would be fine taking “the trip” that so many others have done. As long as Im careful about flashing a camera around, and I dont cross the line, whats the big deal? People have taken pictures posing in front of the signs that say “Photography Prohibited” with a truck with 2 Security Forces members in it right behind them on top of the hill, and they dont say anything, because a picture of a few signs isnt going to affect the secret nature of the base.
You can see the handbook I was talking about here
http://www.ufomind.com/area51/orgs/security/sec_man/sec_man.shtml
Pretty similar to ours actually
I agree that if we knew what was actually going on there, we would see that there isnt much to it, and its actually quite boring. I honestly dont want to know whats going on there. That would take all the fun out of it. Its the secrecy and the fame that it has brought the base that interests me. I just want to see it from a far like the rest of the world does
Combat Application Group. Range 19 was(is?) their playground.
First, you post this:
And then there’s the rest below.
It seems as though you are getting ticked off because people offered their opinions of your proposed sightseeing. You have to expect if you ask for people thoughts on what they do there, you are going to get more than that. So as a civilian security officer, if you were working at a TOP SECRET facility, what would you do if someone wanted you to let them “just look around” because they were merely curious?
We, the public, don’t need to know everything. Putting information, activities, and operations in the public domain allows our enemies to have access to it.
A good friend of mines dad used to be the warden there.
Old playground, they got a new facility, somewhere else on bragg.
CAG is the new designator for LAV’s old office.
take the trip. if you’re looking to satisfy any curiosity about Area 51, it’s not going to be satisfied from where you’re going to be looking at it from, or anywhere you’re allowed to go without getting in trouble. it’ll look like any other desert area. but if just ‘knowing’ you’re looking at it is fun for you, then by all means, satisfy that urge and enjoy the hike and scenery.
i know nothing
ya have fun
We, the public, don’t need to know everything. Putting information, activities, and operations in the public domain allows our enemies to have access to it.
AMEN SISTER! I think our Govt tells too many people what we are doing (including Congress).
C4
^^^^^^
one of the bigest problems with the usa. Media
I live very close to “Area 51”, its not that cool…
I want to do a round-trip around the base (on the highways, nothing illegal), just to say I did it, and have a burger at the Little’ale’e’inn. I had it all planned out last year, but during the window of time I had for it, daytime temps were like 110 degrees. So, what is a good time of year to have a road trip out there? Not too hot, not too cold?
i’d say early spring. i once did a vegas to yosemite trip with my stepdad about 20 years ago and we drove through tonopah, where he used to stay when he was working on the U2. we did it in early spring and the weather was great.
on the topic of information and U.S. citizens, i don’t think that we should know everything that the govt works on. curiosity isn’t a good enough reason. as a person who has been working with the DOD for the past 16 years, i’m all for the ‘need to know’ policy.
OPSEC, sure. Anyway, what we imagine is out there is prolly more interesting anyway than the mundane truth, as others have said.
This is kind of OT, but I’m reminded of a place my dad and I ran across some years ago on Hwy 59 down near McAllen, TX. We were ogling a big huge antenna array with the camera and binoculars, and I noticed some guys looking back at me from a big building in a fenced area. As soon as we made “eye contact”, they jumped in a car and came barreling down the road. Needless to say, we hopped back in the truck and boogied. Nothing came of it, but I figure there must be something going on there for 'em to be so interested in visitors. My opinion is that there’s probably 100 places you never know about for every 1 that you do.
do you see ufo’s? have you ever been abducted by aliens? did they anal probe you?
If they did, please do not tell us about it.
C4
Correct you are. A funny such place is in Sugar Grove WV. This is a Naval Cryptology that has an HFDF capability (only about 3 of these in the world). The antenna array looks like it would be a cage for something large (like dinosaur). The locals always thought (maybe still do) that the US govt does secret animal development there (ala Jurassic park).
Here is an image of the place: http://coldwar-c4i.net/Sugar_Grove/sat.html
I did a little digging and found all kinds of weird things on the place (blog’s, my space page, etc).
There is even an artilce about the place in the NY Times! http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/25/weekinreview/25bamford.html?ex=1293166800&en=3d09922ebe6b2eac&ei=5090&partner=boingboing&emc=rss
Most people don’t even know it is there.
For more info on Naval Security Group: http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/navsecgru/history.htm & http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/navsecgru/ops.htm
I was stationed at NSGA Kamiseya and NSGA Northwest.
Pic of NSGA NW: http://cryptome.org/moyock-eyeball.htm
Pic of NSGA Kami: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/kamiseya.htm
C4