The storied spot in the Nevada desert known by science-fiction fans, UFO chasers and plane-spotters as Area 51 is real, according to a document recently declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency.
George Washington University’s National Security Archive obtained a document from the CIA about the history of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft under a public records request and released it this week. While it acknowledges Area 51’s existence, there is no mention of the government storing wrecked alien spacecraft there as movies like “Independence Day” have fantasized.
The document includes information about how officials from the CIA and aircraft maker Lockheed came across the old World War II airstrip that later became known as Area 51, a name based on map coordinates. It was also known as Paradise Ranch and simply “the ranch” in part to make the desolate location seem more appealing.
Lockheed’s secret-plane division, known as the Skunk Works, developed and tested numerous aircraft at Area 51 including the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 “stealth fighter” and even a number of unmanned models.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013...-forget-about-ufos/?google_editors_picks=true
George Washington University’s National Security Archive obtained a document from the CIA about the history of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft under a public records request and released it this week. While it acknowledges Area 51’s existence, there is no mention of the government storing wrecked alien spacecraft there as movies like “Independence Day” have fantasized.
The document includes information about how officials from the CIA and aircraft maker Lockheed came across the old World War II airstrip that later became known as Area 51, a name based on map coordinates. It was also known as Paradise Ranch and simply “the ranch” in part to make the desolate location seem more appealing.
Lockheed’s secret-plane division, known as the Skunk Works, developed and tested numerous aircraft at Area 51 including the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 “stealth fighter” and even a number of unmanned models.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013...-forget-about-ufos/?google_editors_picks=true