Area 51 request filed in 2005, the CIA publicly acknowledged the existence of the base for the first time, declassifying documents detailing the history and purpose of Area 51. Area 51 is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, north-northwest of Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield. The site was acquired by the United States Air Force in 1955, primarily for the flight testing of the Lockheed U-2 aircraft. The area around Area 51, including the small town of Rachel on the "Extraterrestrial Highway", is
Black Tern Bog State Natural Area in southwest Vilas County, approximately northwest of Arbor Vitae. Access is via an unnamed dirt road off US Highway 51, north of the bog. The road wraps around the northern and eastern portions of the bog. It is also possible to park on the shoulder of US Highway 51, which passes along the western edge of the bog. Black Tern Bog State Natural Area Black Tern Bog State Natural Area is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-designated State Natural Area featuring 20 acres (8 ha) of quaking sphagnum bog surrounding two small seepage lakes situated in a pitted outwash plain.