Message posted by Peter Merlin (Member since 11/13/2003) on October 27, 2022 at 11:29:12 PST:
The base was established in 1955 under the official name Watertown Airstrip. The CIA activated several detachments for conducting U-2 test and training operations there. Detachments A, B, and C were training classes foe Agency U-2 pilots. Once training was completed, these units deployed overseas as Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Provisional) 1, 2, and 3. Detachment D was the command and administrative organization for Watertown Airstrip. It was also referred to as Station D. Watertown was designated Area 51 in 1959, when it was being prepared for Project OXCART radar cross-section model testing. The term Area 51 fell into disuse after the Air Force took over responsibility for the base in the late 1970s. I'm pretty sure we have a bunch of information on this web site about all of the various and sundry names that have been applied to the Groom Lake facility over the years.
In Reply to: Real name of Area 51 base posted by Altner on October 27, 2022 at 10:06:22 PST:
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