The Hidden Tragedy at Area 51
Air Force veterans have shared harrowing accounts of the dangers faced by workers at the secretive Area 51 base, revealing that many were exposed to life-threatening conditions. Security guards at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), commonly known as Area 51, reportedly received a death sentence from the government due to an ‘invisible killer’ present on site. This claim has sparked concerns about the long-term health impacts on those who served there.
The NTTR was constructed in the 1970s on land that had been contaminated with radiation from years of nuclear testing. Despite this, veterans who survived their time at the facility have struggled to receive medical care from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The challenge lies in proving their exposure to radiation, as the classified nature of their work has made it difficult to access relevant records.
Personal Stories of Suffering
One former Air Force Sergeant, David Crete, who worked at the NTTR between 1983 and 1987, spoke about the devastating effects of his service. He revealed that the left side of his brain was ‘dying’ due to atrophy. According to reports, he was one of the lucky ones, as 490 of his colleagues had died from severe illnesses since serving at the former nuclear site. Crete mentioned that an airman lost his life at just 33 years old, and that his fellow servicemen lived to an average age of 65.
Despite these alarming statistics, a government report claimed that halting projects at the NTTR would be ‘against the national interest.’ However, veterans have found themselves without evidence to prove their exposure because the top-secret nature of their work meant their records were ‘data masked.’
Impact on Families
The radiation risks at Area 51 have not only affected the servicemen but also their families. Crete explained that the secrecy surrounding their work made it impossible for them to explain what they did at the base. His wife experienced three miscarriages, and another veteran, whose wife had seven, shared similar struggles. Crete’s four children were born with birth defects or significant health problems, which he attributed to the environment he brought home.
Another veteran, Pomp Braswell, recalled how working at the base at a young age felt ‘very special.’ His mother knew ‘absolute zero’ about the nature of his activities, highlighting the extreme secrecy surrounding the site.
Efforts for Support
Two congressional bills, the Protect Act and the Forgotten Veterans Act, have been introduced to provide more support to NTTR veterans. A previous bill signed by then-President Bill Clinton in 2000 aimed to offer compensation for veterans who had worked at certain government sites. However, Sergeant Crete noted that the only acknowledgment of his service came from the late US Senator John McCain, who told him that his unit ‘ended the cold war.’
The Legacy of Area 51
Area 51 is a top secret facility operated by the US Air Force, located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada. It is primarily used as a flight testing facility and is off-limits to the public and media. The name comes from its designation on maps by the Atomic Energy Commission. The base has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, with many claiming to have seen UFOs nearby. These sightings are typically explained by the CIA as military aircraft tests.
Workers reach the site by air from a designated terminal at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Despite its mysterious reputation, the true extent of the dangers faced by those who served there remains a deeply troubling chapter in American history.
