It rose to notoriety in 1989, when a las vegas man claimed he had worked at the secret. Area 51 is a nickname for a military base located in the southern portion of nevada in the western united states 83 miles northnorthwest of downtown las vegas. Area 51 is classified to the point that its very existence is denied by the u. Cia finally acknowledges existence of secret testing ground by joe tacopino, ny post, august 16, 20. Apr 19, 2018 the start of area 51 is directly about the evolution of the u2 reconnaissance aircraft. The twoway a newly declassified document even includes a map. A newly declassified cia report written in 1992 not only mentions nevadas area 51, it places it on a map. U2s, ufos and operation blue book recent declassified cia documents. Cias declassified documents reveals secrets about area 51. Many of the sources interviewed by the author also appear on a recently aired national geographic special on area 51 that can be seen on youtube. Hes also the man who inspired my own book, by offering me access tonewly declassified documents about area 51 at a dinner party four years. Area 51 revealed in declassified cia report by mark memmott, npr, august 16, 20.
Though weve seen our fair share of area 51 documents in the past, were headed for the motherload with a newly declassified less redacted cia history this week. Merlin has authored numerous books and articles on aerospace history and technology. Located some 80 miles north of las vegas, the secret u. Details of the facilitys operations are not publicly known, but the usaf. First and foremost, this was a very enjoyable book. Many sighting reports came to the air forces project blue book, which investigated ufo sightings, through air traffic. Jacobsen has been busy prepping for her book tour, which kicks off at the spy museum, but managed to squeeze.
Feb 04, 2020 the top secret mig program at area 51 paid dividends in the skies over vietnam, where u. Declassified documents help demonstrate the central role that area 51 played in the development of programs such as the f117, and the operational employment of the aircraft. Jan 05, 2011 area 51 declassified will mark the latest example of uforelated documents being released as countries continue to relax restrictions on the subject such as the new zealand military opening up. A must buy for anyone interested in putting the conspiracies regarding area 51 to rest. A newly declassified cia history from 20 years ago spills the story about nevadas area 51 and its secret mission which was not to study ufos, but to test the u2 and other spy planes.
Aug 16, 20 though weve seen our fair share of area 51 documents in the past, were headed for the motherload with a newly declassified less redacted cia history this week. Las vegas, nevada and area 51 mar 1964 secret declassified in part sanitized copy approved. The annie jacobsen book area 51 declassified documents his career. It has a section titled u2s, ufos, and operation blue book. Apart from these sensationalistic revelations, the real story of area 51 is. Aug 15, 20 area 51 is a touchstone of americas cultural mythology. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base little brown, tells the story of the famous site that has. If you read the details in a 1992 cia report that was declassified with redactions in 1998. Jul 17, 2019 the real story behind the myth of area 51. The start of area 51 is directly about the evolution of the u2 reconnaissance aircraft. Area 51 info released to george washington universitys national security archive cbs, august 16, 20. Its the most famous military institution in the world that doesnt officially exist. Area 51 is declassified, and its project leads speak out.
And thats just what author william lester says he uncovered while conducting research for a new book on kennedy. Probably the most wellknown secret military base in the nation, area 51 is found in the center of the nevada desert, 83 miles outside vegas, and is used for something. If you read the details in a 1992 cia report that was declassified with redactions in 1998 and subsequently released nearly in full in 20. The facility is officially called homey airport kxta or groom lake, named after the salt flat situated next to its airfield. Area 51 declassified will mark the latest example of uforelated documents being released as countries continue to relax restrictions on the subject such as the new zealand military opening up. But theres no word about space aliens being stored there. The cias secret history of area 51 area 51 is a touchstone of americas cultural mythology. Area 51 is the common name of a highly classified united states air force usaf facility located within the nevada test and training range.
Area 51 in nevada has long been the subject of wild conspiracy theories about extraterrestrials, time travel and alien autopsies, but newly released declassified documents from the cia finally. Area 51 personnel feel betrayed by annie jacobsens soviet. Numerous references to area 51 and groom lake, with a map of the area. Interestingly, the cia document does reference ufos. Not only was this book a great read, it was factual and insightful. Cia coverup alleged in jfks secret ufo inquiry live science. Jun 09, 2011 located some 80 miles north of las vegas, the secret u. Details related to area 51 have been declassified, and for the first time in history former members of the staff are allowed to admit area 51 exists and talk about what went on there. Area 51 revealed in cia spy plane documents abc news. He has appeared in documentary television programs for discovery channel, the history channel, national geographic, and others, including modern marvels, mystery hunters, inside area 51, return to area 51, atomic journeys, area 51 declassified, and the truth behind. Area 51 revealed in declassified cia report cue the xfiles theme. Area 51 is a touchstone of americas cultural mythology.
In her explosive new book, area 51, investigative journalist annie jacobsen reveals top government secrets about what really happened. Area 51 personnel feel betrayed by annie jacobsens. The top secret mig program at area 51 paid dividends in the skies over vietnam, where u. What they do there increasing secrecy why it matters ufo sightings so when newly declassified cia documents released last month in response to a freedom of information act request submitted eight years ago officially acknowledged the existence of. Apr 09, 2019 area 51 is a nickname for a military base located in the southern portion of nevada in the western united states 83 miles northnorthwest of downtown las vegas. Much of the material was already known to area 51 aficionados. Known as project blue book, the mission stretched from 1947 to 1969. Its the most famous military installation in the world, yet it doesnt officially exist. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base would not have gotten the publicity that it did if it hadnt included the alleged secret of the roswell crash, the nearly legendary occurrence in which an object found in june or july of 1947 near roswell, new mexico, was said by some. Aug 16, 20 a newly declassified cia history from 20 years ago spills the story about nevadas area 51 and its secret mission which was not to study ufos, but to test the u2 and other spy planes. The real story behind the myth of area 51 for decades, nevadas area 51 air force facility has represented the eye of a conspiratorial hurricane that swirls around evidence that aliens and their. Cia coverup alleged in jfks secret ufo inquiry live. Apr 20, 2011 cia coverup alleged in jfks secret ufo inquiry.
While it is indeed about area 51, the author gives you a good and necessary background about the cold war. Area 51 is the common name of a highly classified united states air force usaf facility. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base jacobsen, annie on. Aug 16, 20 the new version has much less redaction, and is the first time the references to area 51 in the document have been declassified. Annie jacobsen spent years learning the secrets of area 51. Jul, 2017 the truth about area 51 revealed in area 51 by annie jacobsen. The new version has much less redaction, and is the first time the references to area 51 in the document have been declassified. It isnt the very first time the government has acknowledged the presence of the supersecret, 20,700squarekilometre installation. The king of area 51, bob mayer has written twelve novels about it since 1997. An uncensored history of americas top secret military.
U2s, ufos and operation blue book recent declassified cia documents tweet. Hes written other fiction, a lot of it in fact, but his area 51 series is a series where you can pick one book, any book, and you cant go wrong. Air force pilots ended the war with a twotoone overall killloss ratio, downing a total of 7 soviet. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base would not have gotten the publicity that it did if it hadnt included the alleged secret of the roswell crash, the nearly legendary occurrence in which an object found in june or july of 1947 near roswell, new mexico, was said by some to have. Nearly all of the newly released information is already in my books, british. Unofficially, the knowledge of the existence of area 51 has been known for decades and has been the focus of mainstream media attention in the past and not just in passing i might add. The national geographic channel documentary area 51 declassified, about the mystery surrounding topsecret military operations conducted at a. Some of the documents specifically focus on area 51 and the. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base, and a companion national geographic special, area 51 declassified. Feb 27, 2015 in the postwar years in america, ufo sightings became so common that they warranted an entire u. Myths and hypotheses about area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. There are still some very difficult, if not dubious claims made.
Many of my questions were addressed more thoroughly than i would have expected. Names of all the pilots who flew the u2 missions that are discussed in the history. Jan 21, 2015 nearly,000 pages of declassified air force files on ufo investigations and sightings are now available in one place online. Sep 17, 2019 the king of area 51, bob mayer has written twelve novels about it since 1997. While scant particulars on area 51 have been discovered over the years through other declassified reports and books that contained. Area 51 is now official where are the alien spaceships. Newly declassified documents reveal more detail about past use of the mysterious nevada test site known as area 51 and the concern for maintaining secrecy about the work done at the facility. If it did, it would be found about 100 miles outside las vegas in. While there may not be truth to the rumors that area 51 is a haven for ufos and extraterrestrials.
Annie jacobson, author of a book on area 51, explains that to vox. In this threepart video series, molly wood pays a visit to the edge of area 51, explores the history and technology of the topsecret. Richelson, todays ebook posting includes more than 60 declassified documents. A bestselling book on area 51 is so controversial that it has shocked even its sources with an outrageous claim that the infamous roswell, n. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of groom lake, is a large secretive military airfield. Cias declassified documents reveals secrets about area 51 and ufos the cia has released a 355page document which officially acknowledges that area 51 in nevada does exist, and the agency comes. The real story behind the myth of area 51 popular mechanics. Other declassified documents reveal area 51s role in testing foreign radar systems and, during the cold war, secretly obtained soviet mig fighters. Area 51a site for covert cold war operationshas long been a magnet for crackpots, conspiracy theorists, and the overly curious. The area was photographed with american reconnaissance assets to better assess what the soviet unions spy satellites might be able to discern. Nov, 20 newly declassified documents reveal more detail about past use of the mysterious nevada test site known as area 51 and the concern for maintaining secrecy about the work done at the facility. Having a brother who retired from area 51, i was able to confirm claims raised in the book as being accurate. Aug 16, 20 the cia has released a 355page document which officially acknowledges that area 51 in nevada does exist, and the agency comes clean about their weather balloon cover stories.
In the postwar years in america, ufo sightings became so common that they warranted an entire u. Cia history reveals newly declassified material on u2 and oxcart reconnaissance programs. The many books and articles written on the aerial reconnaissance programs, particularly. May 17, 2011 the area 51 declassified screening takes place tomorrow at 6. Act foia request filed in 2005, and they declassified documents detailing the history and purpose of area 51. The truth about area 51 revealed in area 51 by annie jacobsen. Area 51s secret history, explained by an expert vox. And this book contributes to the area 51 conspiracy colloquy as a pillar of hard research and rationality, at least, perhaps, the best that can be done with the most recently declassified documents still decades old. Located a mere seventyfive miles outside of las vegas in nevadas desert, the base has never been acknowledged by the u. Journalist annie jacobsen says its not because of aliens or spaceships but because the government. A roundtable discussion with the author and a few of her sources will occur after the screening. It rose to notoriety in 1989, when a las vegas man claimed he had worked at the secret facility to discover the secrets of crashed alien.