1994 03 00 Popular Science Secret Air Base

Magazine Overview

Title: Popular Science
Issue: March 1994
Date: 1994-03
Publisher: Times Mirror Magazines, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Popular Science features a cover story titled "Secret Air Base" focusing on the clandestine U.S. Air Force facility at Groom Lake, Nevada, commonly known as Area 51. The article details the Air Force's attempt to acquire an additional 4,000 acres of public land surrounding the base to restrict public access and observation. The magazine explores the history, operations, and public fascination with this highly secure military installation.

Secret Air Base: Groom Lake

The main article, "Secret Air Base," by Stuart F. Brown, investigates the mysterious facility at Groom Lake. Officially, the base, which developed the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird spy planes, is said not to exist. However, it continues to expand, and the Air Force is seeking to close off surrounding public land to keep civilians away. The article questions whether shadowy projects are underway that citizens have a right to know about.

Senior Editor Stuart Brown notes that while military secrecy is understandable in times of war, the lack of accountability for the Pentagon's "black" budget, which includes facilities like Groom Lake, is concerning. Official military sources have refused to provide information about the base's activities.

The facility, located in the remote Emigrant Valley between mountain ranges, is 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It has acquired numerous nicknames, including Dreamland, The Ranch, The Box, Watertown Strip, The Pig Farm, and officially, Area 51. It is described as a "remote test facility," and even civilians working for military contractors are forbidden to mention its location in Nevada.

Groom Lake has become a magnet for people curious about unacknowledged flying objects and exotic aircraft, including alleged hypersonic spyplanes like the Aurora and UFOs. The Air Force's request to shut down vantage points for observers is seen as a response to this persistent public interest.

History and Development

The article traces the history of Groom Lake, starting in 1954 when the CIA contracted Lockheed to develop a spyplane capable of flying higher than any existing aircraft, with the Soviet Union as the primary target. The U-2 spyplane was the result. The barren, flat expanse of Groom Lake was chosen for its security, and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) handled the construction of the initial runway and hangars.

Flight testing of the SR-71 spyplane and its predecessor, the CIA's A-12, occurred at Groom Lake in 1962. Covertly obtained Soviet fighters were also tested there. Approximately a decade later, the F-117A stealth fighter first flew from Groom Lake. The 1980s saw increased activity and spending, with reports of an even faster replacement for the SR-71, possibly dubbed Aurora, Senior Citizen, or Senior Smart.

The 'Dreamland Interceptors' and Public Observation

A group of observers, calling themselves the "Dreamland Interceptors," are dedicated to watching the base from public lands. Their motivations include fascination with military aircraft, a desire for knowledge about government spending, and an interest in potential UFO sightings. They use binoculars, spotting scopes, and radio scanners to monitor activity.

The article describes an experience of joining the Interceptors, including meeting individuals like Jim Goodall, a veteran investigator of secret aircraft, and John Andrews, a model designer known for his accurate spyplane models. They discuss the challenges of observing the base, the security measures in place, and the legal limitations on photography.

Bob Lazar and the UFO Phenomenon

The article also touches upon the influence of Bob Lazar, who in 1989 claimed to be a physicist hired to reverse-engineer alien spacecraft propulsion systems at a secret complex called S-4 near Papoose Lake. While Lazar's claims have been difficult to confirm, they significantly boosted Area 51's profile among UFO enthusiasts, transforming it into a mecca for saucer seekers, particularly around a landmark known as "The Black Mailbox" on Nevada Route 375.

Government Response and Oversight

Representative Robert S. Walker is quoted advocating for a re-examination of "black" programs, suggesting that withholding technology from public entrepreneurship may not be beneficial. Conversely, a congressional source with high security clearance expresses concern about "intelligence operations" or "foreign money" potentially involved in secret projects, deeming such activities a fraud on the American government and people.

The Air Force's request to expand the restricted area is framed as a need for "safe and secure operation." The article notes that the land grab is shaped to avoid a 5,000-acre threshold that would trigger a congressional hearing, with the final decision pending a public hearing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, the development of advanced and clandestine military aircraft, and the public's persistent curiosity about what transpires at highly restricted facilities like Groom Lake. The editorial stance appears to be one of questioning the extent of government secrecy and advocating for greater transparency and accountability, particularly concerning "black" budget programs, while acknowledging the necessity of some military security.

The magazine highlights the tension between national security interests and the public's right to know, particularly regarding the use of taxpayer money for advanced, undisclosed projects. The fascination with UFOs and alleged extraterrestrial technology is presented as a significant factor driving public interest in Groom Lake.

This issue of Popular Science, dated March 1994, focuses on the secretive military installation known as Groom Lake, often referred to as Area 51. The cover headline, "Secrets of Groom Lake," and the accompanying imagery suggest an in-depth investigation into the clandestine activities at this Nevada-based facility. The magazine explores allegations of advanced aircraft development, encounters with security personnel, and the broader implications of classified defense spending.

Investigation into Groom Lake

The article details the research efforts of Jim Goodall, who has been investigating Groom Lake for years. He presents evidence suggesting the existence of advanced, secret aircraft. A classified, late-1991 Landsat image reportedly shows three large, white triangles near the main runway, described as being about the size of 747 airliners and reminiscent of the XB-70 bomber prototype. The article speculates that these could be part of a program belonging to the CIA or the National Reconnaissance Office, despite Air Force denials.

Goodall's research also points to the likely testing of stealthy vertical-landing aircraft designed for covert special-forces operations. Furthermore, many remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) currently in use or under development by the military have likely been flown at the base. Aerial photos from 1968 and 1988 indicate significant expansion of the base, including the addition of numerous structures. A parallel runway, estimated to be 15,000 feet long, was reportedly begun around 1989 to ensure continued flight testing even when winter flooding impacts the main runway. A new tank farm has been established to store cryogenic liquid methane or hydrogen fuels for hypersonic aircraft.

Two vast new buildings are highlighted based on Goodall's research. One is a high-ceilinged hangar, potentially several stories tall, equipped with gantry cranes for assembling and disassembling 'Aurora' mothership and daughtership spy-planes. The second building is believed to be used for the final assembly of various classified aircraft.

Encounters with Security Forces

The article recounts several tense encounters between the researchers and the security forces guarding Groom Lake. In June (year not specified, but likely 1993), Goodall and a companion named Campbell camped near the runway's climb-out path. They heard and then saw a Sikorsky HH-60G Blackhawk helicopter, marked with Air Force insignia, conducting a search pattern. The helicopter descended rapidly, its downwash damaging the tree they were using for cover. Campbell managed to take photographs, but a sheriff later confiscated his film, which remains in government hands. Goodall filed complaints with various government officials, but received replies that dismissed his concerns, stating that helicopter operations were normal for verifying range security and not life-threatening.

On another night, Goodall and another individual drove a Toyota Land Cruiser along dirt roads north of the base, using minimal lighting to avoid detection. They concealed their vehicle under a camouflage net. Despite their efforts, security forces conducted a lengthy helicopter search of the area, eventually spotting Campbell's car, which had been tucked into a ditch. The sheriff noted its license number.

Later, a group venturing out again encountered a sheriff and a security guard at 2:00 a.m. The sheriff demanded to search their bags for cameras, but the individuals asserted their civil liberties and refused without a warrant. The sheriff backed down when asked to see a warrant. The article notes the difficulty in obtaining warrants for activities near the officially unmentionable Groom Lake base.

Electronic Surveillance

Jim Goodall discovered an electronic sensor by a muddy roadside after spring rains. He later located 10 more such sensors along dirt roads crossing BLM land using a frequency counter. These sensors are designed to detect ground vibrations caused by passing vehicles. A transmitter wired to each pair of sensors broadcasts radio pulses on 496.25 megahertz, indicating the vehicle's location and direction of travel. Goodall managed to defeat these devices by unscrewing their antennas, driving past, and then replacing them.

Broader Context and Concerns

The article touches upon the broader context of secret government programs and spending. It mentions that the $84.1 billion defense budget for 1994 includes an estimated $14.3 billion for secret programs, a figure approximating NASA's entire annual budget. With the end of the Cold War and the availability of Russian satellite images, airplane watchers question the military's need for increased security at Groom Lake.

Additionally, the article raises environmental concerns. Nevada Environmental Protection Division officials are investigating allegations that toxic chemicals were burned in open pits at Groom Lake during the 1980s, sickening workers. Lockheed has previously made out-of-court settlements with individuals exposed to chemicals while working on the F-117A program.

The Little A' Le' Inn

After their nocturnal surveillance, the researchers retreated to the Little A' Le' Inn in Rachel, Nevada, a local watering hole known for its UFO memorabilia. The proprietors, Pat and Joe Travis, serve patrons ranging from cowboys to UFO enthusiasts and base workers. The latter are noted for their tight-lipped adherence to secrecy, often joking, "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, particularly concerning military installations like Groom Lake. There's a strong undercurrent of citizen curiosity and a desire for transparency regarding "black" defense dollars. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigative journalism, presenting evidence and eyewitness accounts to shed light on potentially hidden government activities. The article champions the idea that taxpayers, as the true owners of these facilities, deserve explanations about their nature and purpose. The use of advanced technology for surveillance and the potential environmental impact of secret operations are also highlighted as significant concerns.