Recent remarks by US president Donald Trump about releasing government files on aliens and unidentified flying objects have once again pushed Area 51 into the spotlight. Trump said he would direct the Pentagon and other federal agencies to begin disclosing information.His comments came alongside criticism of former president Barack Obama, whom Trump accused of improperly discussing classified matters related to aliens. Obama had recently said in a podcast interview that while unidentified aerial phenomena are real, there is no such hidden alien facility.Area 51 is one of the most secretive military sites in the United States. For decades, it has been linked to classified aircraft testing, strict security and claims about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and alien technology.The US government has acknowledged the existence of Area 51, but much of what happens there remains undisclosed.Area 51 is situated in the Nevada desert, around 85 to 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It lies near a dry lake bed known as Groom Lake. The closest small towns are Rachel and Hiko.The base is part of a much larger military zone known as the Nevada Test and Training Range. This range spans more than 2.9 million acres of land, according to BBC. The restricted airspace and surrounding land are used for military training and testing.The name “Area 51” comes from its label on Atomic Energy Commission maps. However, officials rarely use this term. The CIA has referred to the location as Groom Lake or Homey Airport, according to Space dot com.According to reports, the US government generally describes the broader area as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range, which is connected to Edwards Air Force Base.Satellite images of the base are now visible on platforms such as Google Maps. However, physical access remains strictly restricted.

When and why was Area 51 built?

Area 51 was established in 1955 during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was created as a testing and development facility for secret aircraft projects.The first major project linked to the base was the Lockheed U-2 spy plane programme. The U-2 was designed for high-altitude missions. Because of the sensitive nature of the project, the US government required a remote and secure location for testing.Over time, other classified aircraft were also tested there. These included the SR-71 Blackbird, the A-12 Archangel and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter. The base became associated with advanced aviation research.In an effort to attract workers to the remote desert location, the facility was once referred to as “Paradise Ranch”. The name was meant to make it sound more appealing.Although Area 51 began operations in 1955, its existence was not officially acknowledged for decades. In August 2013, the CIA declassified documents related to the U-2 programme and publicly recognised the base. Four months later, president Barack Obama became the first US president to mention Area 51 publicly.

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What is inside Area 51?

Public information about the exact activities inside Area 51 is limited. However, it is widely believed that the site continues to be used for testing advanced and classified aircraft.The base includes long runways, some measuring up to 12,000 feet in length. The restricted airspace surrounding it covers tens of thousands of acres. The airspace known as Area 51 is reported to span around 38,400 acres, while the restricted airspace around Groom Lake covers roughly 23 by 25 miles.The base itself occupies an area of approximately 6 by 10 miles, much of which consists of runways and related infrastructure.About 1,500 people are believed to work at the facility. Many are said to commute from Las Vegas on special charter flights operated for base personnel.The wider Nevada Test and Training Range is described by the US military as a flexible and realistic battle-space used for testing tactics, developing systems and conducting advanced training.

Why is Area 51 so secretive?

Area 51 is classified as a Military Operating Area. Access is restricted to authorised personnel only.Warning signs are posted around the perimeter. The area is monitored using surveillance systems, including motion sensors, cameras and patrols. Photography, surveillance and unauthorised entry are prohibited.Civilian aircraft are not allowed to fly over the base. Violating the no-fly zone can result in serious consequences. Security forces patrol the area and can detain trespassers. Signs warn that deadly force is authorised.

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The base itself is not surrounded by traditional fencing, but its boundaries are clearly marked with signs and orange poles.According to reports, the secrecy is linked to national security concerns. The testing of advanced aircraft, drone systems, radar evasion technology and other classified aviation projects requires strict operational secrecy.Area 51 is not the only secret facility in the United States. Other locations mentioned in reports include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Dugway Proving Ground in Utah and the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. However, none have gained the same public attention.

Are there UFOs in Area 51?

The connection between Area 51 and UFOs is largely based on public speculation.The term UFO stands for “unidentified flying object”. It does not automatically mean alien spacecraft. However, because Area 51 involves testing new and secret aircraft, unusual sightings have been reported in the region.When the U-2 spy plane first flew in the 1950s, it operated at altitudes higher than commercial aircraft. People who saw it often did not recognise what it was. This led to reports of strange objects in the sky.Reports suggest that the secrecy surrounding new aircraft contributed to UFO sightings in Nevada. According to accounts cited in media reports, intelligence agencies handled UFO reports during that period.One of the most famous claims linking Area 51 to aliens concerns the 1947 Roswell incident in New Mexico. Some believe that a crashed alien spacecraft and the bodies of its pilots were taken to Area 51. The US government has said that no aliens were involved and that the crashed object was a weather balloon.In 1989, a man named Robert Lazar claimed that he worked at Area 51 on extraterrestrial technology. He said he had seen alien autopsy photographs and that the government was studying recovered alien spacecraft. His claims later came under scrutiny and were discredited, but they strengthened public belief in alien theories.Over time, the combination of strict secrecy and limited official information has fuelled conspiracy theories. However, there is no official evidence confirming alien activity at the site.

‘Storm Area 51’

In 2019, a Facebook event titled “Storm Area 51, they can’t stop all of us” went viral. 20-year-old Matty Roberts created it as a joke. The idea was that if enough people ran towards the base, they could uncover its secrets.

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More than three million people expressed interest online. Local towns such as Rachel prepared for a large crowd.In reality, around 6,000 people gathered near the area. Some took part in small events, including music gatherings and themed activities. The base itself was not breached. Only a small number of detentions were reported.The US Air Force had warned people not to attempt to enter the restricted area and said it stood ready to protect its assets.The event drew global media attention but did not result in any serious security incident.

Area 51 in popular culture?

Area 51 has appeared in many films and television series. Its image as a secret alien facility has been reinforced by fiction.

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The 1996 film Independence Day, directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Will Smith, portrayed the base as a hidden location where alien spacecraft were stored. The film was a major commercial success and helped strengthen the Area 51 myth.Area 51 has also been featured or referenced in The X-Files, including the episode “Dreamland”, in Doctor Who (episode “Day of the Moon”), in Agents of Shield, and in films such as Paul (2011) and Area 51 (2015).In addition to films and television, the base has inspired documentaries, mockumentaries, and online discussions. The 1995 television special Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction? claimed to show footage of an alien examination. It was later debunked.Tourism in nearby towns reflects this cultural image. Rachel, Nevada, features alien-themed attractions such as The Little A’Le’Inn roadside diner and gift shops.