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Groom Lake
Groom Lake
Groom Lake is a mystery to most people. Some people even question the existence of this location, including the United States Government. As part of Area 51, Groom Lake is situated in the southwester portion of Lincoln County in southern Nevada in the western United States. Situated at the center is a dry lakebed that is being used a large military airfield, one of the most secretive places in the world. The purpose of this area is to test and develop experimental aircraft’s.
The Groom Lake area is not your conventional airbase. The only aircraft’s that go through this base are those that are being used for developmental purposes and those that are still in the testing phase. It has been reported that no frontline aircraft’s are being used at this base. Groom Lake is said to be home of Soviet designed aircraft, which are being used for training purposes.
In 1955 Groom Lake was left abandoned after it had been used for bombing and artillery practice during World War II. Lockhead’s Skunk Works selected it as a great location to the test the forthcoming U-2 spy plane. This spy plane needed a great deal of space and the lake bed at Groom Lake made the ideal location for flying this troublesome aircraft. The first U-2 flew at the Groom in August of 1955. Lockhead constructed a makeshift airspace. It consisted of a few makeshift shelters, workshops and trailer homes.
During this time, the NTS continued to perform a series of atmospheric explosions. The U-2 operations were often disrupted by the Plumbbob series of atomic tests. In 1957 the Plumbbob explosion on July 5th scattered fallout across the Groom Lake area causing the makeshift airbase to be shut down temporarily.
Groom Lake is operational as a testing site for military aircraft before they gain approval from the government to be added to the US Air Force fleet. Many people from the surrounding areas work at this unconventional air base and are bussed to work each day. However, the whole area itself is shrouded in secrecy and is guarded by armed guards. Warning signs announcing that taking pictures is illegal are everywhere.