Tonopah Test Range, Tonopah, NV
Posted by: Poehunters
N 38° 04.740 W 117° 00.630
11S E 499079 N 4214580
The Tonopah Test Range airfield came into existence in 1957 and was largely used by the Department of Energy, the Air Force, and several contractors.
Waymark Code: WMHGGW
Location: Nevada, United States
Date Posted: 07/08/2013
Views: 17
The airfield was presumably originally built to support drop tests of nuclear weapons to support the AEC/DOE test programs, and only later was taken over by the military for flight testing. The area was open range, with wild horses running free.
Tonopah Test Range Airport (IATA: XSD, ICAO: KTNX, FAA LID: TNX),[1][2][3] at the Tonopah Test Range (Senior Trend project site PS-66)[4][dead link] is 27 NM (50 km; 31 mi) southeast of Tonopah, Nevada and 140 mi (230 km) northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a major airfield with a 12,000 ft × 150 ft (3,658 m × 46 m) runway, instrument approach facilities, and nighttime illumination. The facility boasts over fifty hangars and an extensive support infrastructure.
Tonopah is owned by the USAF Air Combat Command. The known primary use of this airport is to shuttle government employees to the weapons test range from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
The primary (paved) access to the facility is off of U.S. Route 6 at the north end of the airport. Dirt road access points also exist on the south and east sides of the range. The site is plainly visible from commercial airliners, which pass 17 NM (31 km; 20 mi) north of the base on transcontinental flights.
What type of artillery is this?: Missile
Where is this artillery located?: Military Grounds
What military of the world used this device?: US Air Force
Parking location to view this Waymark: N 38° 04.740 W 117° 00.630
Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Artillery is no longer operational: no
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not exact GPS location, but withing 200 feet.
Date artillery was in use: Not listed
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
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