Area 51 has been in the news recently, thanks in large part to an online event joined by over 2 million people. The event’s creator wanted to get as many people as possible to help raid the government compound in order to “free the aliens.” Naturally, this event turned out to be a hoax, and was strongly derided by the U.S. military. That said, it has brought public attention back to this curious, top secret Air Force facility. But what secrets is the government keeping at this secluded military base in the Nevada desert? What is the real story behind Area 51? Let’s breakdown the facts concerning Area 51 to better understand the United States’ best-kept secret.
What Is the Story Behind Area 51?
Officially, Area 51 is a remote detachment of the Edwards Air Force Base in Nevada. It encompasses an area of approximately 575 square miles, and was built by the U.S. military in 1955 in order to test the U-2 Spy Plane. As the years passed, it was used to test many other developing aerospace technologies.
Since the first days that Area 51 came into existence, it has been the center of many conspiracy theories, particularly those involving aliens and UFOs. The reasons for these stories are two-fold. First, the U.S. military keeps the base highly protected. Even no unauthorized personnel are allowed within miles of the epicenter. The air space is also off-limits to outside aircrafts. And second, many passersby have reported strange flying objects in the area over the years.
People travel from across the country in the hopes of seeing a UFO or strange flash of light in the sky. Unfortunately, regular citizens are not allowed anywhere near the base, though the surrounding area is open to anyone. Today, many shop owners and tour guides use the mystery of Area 51 to sell their alien-themed wares and services.
While the official explanation for UFO sightings and high security involves tests the Air Force runs on its newest equipment, many speculate that there are far more interesting things lurking within this military compound…
Are There Really Aliens In this Area?
The truth is that almost nobody really knows the real story behind area 51. Some top officials in the U.S. government and military know the truth. But otherwise, everyone else is simply left to speculate. However, many of the conspiracy theories concerning alien lifeforms and unidentified flying objects were born of real-life testimonies. People have seen many strange occurrences near Area 51. That, combined with the unprecedented level of security, is more than enough to raise a few eyebrows.
Additionally, the U.S. government is not known for being open and forthcoming with sensitive information. It generally takes decades for top military secrets to be revealed. In many cases, regular citizens are still waiting to find out details that are kept under lock and key.
So, the jury is still out on whether or not Area 51 is holding anything extra-terrestrial. Nonetheless, with all of the mounting evidence and the public outcry for transparency, it really makes one wonder if we’re not alone in the universe…and if the U.S. government already knows it.
