Mercury (Yucca Airstrip)

Mercury Airport, also known as Yucca Airstrip, is a unique and mysterious aviation facility located deep in the Nevada desert. Unlike typical passenger terminals, this runway is situated within the Nevada National Security Site and serves exclusively the needs of the United States Department of Energy. For aviation and history enthusiasts, this airfield is of special interest as a symbol of the Cold War era and secret government programmes, although access here is strictly prohibited for ordinary tourists. Surrounded by the harsh landscapes of a salt plateau, it remains one of the most intriguing closed facilities on the American map.

Features and Airport Status

The main feature of Yucca Airstrip is its location on the bed of the dried-up Yucca Flat salt lake. The airfield boasts several runways, one of which is laid directly on the salt crust, making landing here a true test of a pilot's skill. The facility has a rich history: it was actively used during the nuclear testing period to transport personnel and equipment, and it still retains its status as a vital logistical hub for government missions.

It is important to remember that the airport is located in a secure restricted zone (Nevada National Security Site). This means it does not accept commercial flights, and the airspace above it is strictly controlled. Tourists travelling through Nevada should be aware of this place as a "secret landmark" that can only be explored remotely through historical reports and satellite maps, as physical access without a special pass is impossible.

• Official Website: nnss.gov (Resource of the Nevada National Security Site managing the airfield; the airstrip does not have a separate website).
• Address: Nevada National Security Site, Area 6, Mercury, NV 89023, USA.
• Inquiry Phone: +1 702-295-1000 (General facility switchboard).
• Email: publicaffairs@nnss.gov (Press office contacts of the managing organisation).
• Social Media: Current news is published on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) pages on Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
• Passenger Support Service: None, as the airport is a closed government facility and does not serve commercial flights.
• Lost Luggage Information: Not provided (civil transport is not conducted).

It is crucial to understand that Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip) is a restricted facility located within the Nevada Test Site. For this reason, standard methods of getting here (public buses, free entry by taxi or private car) are not applicable for ordinary tourists. Access to the territory, including the use of the runway and parking lots, is permitted exclusively to authorised personnel of the US Department of Energy and military departments. Nevertheless, for those interested in the geography of the region or holding a special pass, information on logistics is provided below.

Car Route and Car Rental

The nearest major city is Las Vegas. The distance from there to the Mercury exit is approximately 105–110 km (about 65 miles). The journey by car takes around 1 hour without traffic. The route runs north along highway US-95 N. Driving along this highway, you can see a sign for Mercury (Exit 136), which leads to the main security checkpoint.

You can rent a car in Las Vegas, where all major rental companies are represented. The cost of renting a standard sedan starts from 40–50 USD per day. However, please remember: driving past the checkpoint barrier in a rented or private car without special documents is strictly prohibited. Parking directly at the airport is available only for employee service vehicles.

Public Transport and Special Flights

City buses, trains, or the metro do not run to Yucca Flat. Transport for site employees is organised via special shuttles — white buses without markings departing from various points in Las Vegas.

Air transport is also departmental in nature. It is known that personnel are transported here by flights of an airline unofficially called "Janet," departing from a closed terminal in Las Vegas. These flights are not available to civilians.

Taxi and Transfer

Theoretically, one could order a taxi or Uber from Las Vegas to the Mercury exit, but this is impractical. The cost of a one-way trip would be over 150–200 USD, and the driver would only be able to take the passenger to the outer security perimeter. Official transfer services for tourists to this zone do not exist.

Nearest Civil Airports

Since flying into Mercury itself is impossible, travellers use civil airports within a radius of 200–350 km. The main air gateway to the region is McCarran Airport (now known as Harry Reid) in Las Vegas. This is where the majority of tourists wishing to visit Nevada arrive.

Other airports located in neighbouring cities and states:

• St. George Municipal Airport (Utah) — located approximately 215 km to the northeast.
• Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (Arizona) — situated 235 km to the south.
• Mammoth Lakes Airport (California) — 262 km away, popular among ski enthusiasts, but located across a mountain range.
• Meadows Field Airport (California) — located at a distance of about 320 km to the west.

Since Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip) is a closed military and government facility, its infrastructure differs radically from what tourists are accustomed to seeing in civil aviation hubs. There is no standard division into international and domestic terminals, and there are no leisure zones, shops, or entertainment centres. The entire structure is subordinate to strict functionality and security requirements.

Number of Terminals and Their Purpose

Mercury Airport lacks passenger terminals in the traditional sense. The airfield represents a single operational-technical complex. The main infrastructure includes:

• Operations Building: A small structure serving as a control tower and administrative centre where special flight take-offs and landings are coordinated.
• Hangars and Warehouses: Several large hangars are designed for servicing aviation equipment and storing cargo necessary for site operations.
• Personnel Reception Zone: The nominal "terminal" for employees is a small room or fenced area where boarding and disembarking of service flight passengers (known as "Janet") takes place.

Airport Map and Navigation

The official airport map is not published and is classified information. Navigation inside the facility for authorised personnel is simplified to the maximum and strictly regulated. Independent movement around the airfield or between buildings is prohibited. Movement is carried out exclusively along established routes accompanied by security or on specialised internal transport.

Departure and Arrival Zones

The arrival and departure process here lacks the usual comfort of civil aviation but is organised with military precision:

• Arrival Zone: Passengers (site employees and military personnel) disembark via stairs directly onto the apron. From there, they are immediately collected by service buses that distribute personnel to specific work zones of the Nevada National Security Site. Baggage claim as such is absent; personal items and work equipment are transferred by the technical team.
• Departure Zone: Represents a waiting room in the administrative block where a final document check is conducted before boarding.

Infrastructure Features

The main feature of the complex is its asceticism and closure. You will not find cafes, ATMs, car rental desks, or newsstands here. The infrastructure includes only the essentials:

• Rooms for crew briefings and instructions.
• Communication and secure line rooms.
• Technical blocks for refuelling and minor aircraft repairs.

Processing Time and Control

Although there are no queues at check-in counters, security check procedures are much stricter than in civil airports. They begin long before arrival at the airfield.

• Check-in and Screening: For passengers of special flights, identity verification and belonging screening take significant time, though they are often conducted at the point of departure (for example, at the closed terminal of Las Vegas airport) before dispatch to Mercury.
• Passport Control: Replaced by verification of biometric data and special passes from the US Department of Energy.

Navigation Recommendations

For an outside observer or virtual tourist, it is important to understand: "navigation" in the context of Yucca Airstrip is impossible. Any attempts to approach the airport perimeter or penetrate its territory will be immediately stopped by armed security. The best way to study the structure of this mysterious place is by using satellite images on online maps, where the runway on the salt flat and several technical buildings nearby are clearly visible.

The history of Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip) is unlike the chronicles of civil aviation hub development. There were never ceremonial ribbon-cutting events with tourists, and its stages of establishment were dictated not by market demand, but by strict national security requirements and the geopolitical situation of the mid-20th century.

Foundation and Early Years

The starting point in the airfield's history is considered to be 1951, when President Harry Truman officially approved the creation of the Nevada Test Site. In the desert conditions, the base camp Mercury (Camp Mercury) emerged, becoming the site's administrative centre. To rapidly transport scientists, military officials, and equipment from Las Vegas and Washington, a runway was required. Initially, it was simply a levelled dirt patch on the edge of the dry Yucca Flat lake, used by light aviation to support the first series of atmospheric tests.

Era of Active Development

In the 1950s and 1960s, at the peak of the atomic project, the airport experienced rapid development. The intensity of work required reliable air connections. During this period, the infrastructure was significantly expanded: reinforced runways appeared, capable of accepting heavier transport aircraft. The airfield became a key logistical hub during large-scale operations such as "Teapot" and "Plumbbob." It was here that planes arrived with high-ranking observers, congressmen, and journalists permitted to view tests from a safe distance.

Modernisation and the "Janet" Fleet

Significant modernisation of the facility occurred in the 1970s, when the focus shifted to underground testing, and security and logistics requirements changed. The airport was adapted for the regular reception of jet liners. The most important stage in modern history was the commencement of flights by the fleet unofficially known as "Janet". To service the Boeing 737 aircraft that transport employees from Las Vegas daily, the navigation system was improved and the main runway surface was updated to ensure flight safety in the difficult conditions of desert winds and temperature fluctuations.

Interesting Facts and Features

• Two Landing Surfaces: Historically, pilots used both the asphalt runway and the dense salt crust of Yucca Flat lake itself, which allowed planes to land in practically any wind direction in emergency cases.
• Most Closed "Commuter": Despite its status as a secret facility, the airport effectively operates as one of the busiest corporate hubs: thousands of employees fly here to work and back daily, making it a unique example of "rotational aviation."
• Geographical Paradox: On some old maps from the 1960s, this airfield was intentionally not marked or was shifted by several kilometres to confuse outside observers.

Today, Yucca Airstrip continues to function as a vital element of the Nevada National Security Site infrastructure, remaining a living monument to the Cold War era that is still in service.

Since Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip) is a specialised closed facility of the US Department of Energy rather than a civil aviation hub, the range of services here differs radically from standard traveller expectations. It is important to understand: this airfield is not designed for comfortable flight waiting, shopping, or leisure. All service is oriented exclusively towards the functional support of the site personnel's tasks.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Shops

Commercial zones are completely absent at the airport. You will not find Duty-Free shops, souvenir stalls, clothing boutiques, or newsstands here. There are also no civil cafes, coffee shops, or fast-food restaurants. Dining for authorised personnel is organised in specialised canteens (mess halls) within the Mercury base camp, access to which is possible only with passes. The menu here is strictly utilitarian, designed to sustain employees rather than offer gastronomic delights.

Waiting Lounges, Wi-Fi, and Communication

The concept of VIP lounges or business lounges is not applicable to this place. Waiting for a flight (usually a return flight to Las Vegas) takes place in simple rooms of the administrative building or directly at the boarding point.

Particular attention should be paid to communication issues:

• Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are absent. Moreover, the use of any wireless networks is strictly regulated by security protocols.
• Mobile Communication: The use of personal mobile phones on the airfield territory and in most buildings is often restricted or completely banned to avoid information leakage or interference with equipment.
• Charging Stations: Special stands for charging passenger gadgets are not provided.

Financial and Medical Services

There are no banks, currency exchange points, or ATMs on the airfield territory. All financial activity for personnel takes place outside the restricted zone.

Regarding medical services, strict occupational safety standards apply here, as at any hazardous industrial facility. A medical post operates in Camp Mercury, equipped to provide first aid and emergency evacuation for injured employees. However, there are no pharmacies or doctor's offices for general "passenger" reception.

Services for Passengers with Children and Disabilities

The infrastructure of Yucca Airstrip is not adapted for children or citizens with reduced mobility, as these categories of persons are not admitted to the military site territory.

• Mother and child rooms, play areas, or stroller rentals are absent.
• Specialised lifts, ramps, or toilets for people with disabilities may not correspond to civil standards of a barrier-free environment, as the facility was built for fit military-technical personnel.

Hotels and Accommodation

There are no hotels directly in the terminal or next to the runway. Accommodation for personnel working on a rotational basis is organised in dormitories within Camp Mercury. This is service housing of a barracks or hostel type, unavailable for booking through tourist aggregators.

The nearest hotels available to tourists are located in the city of Las Vegas (about 100 km from the facility) or in small settlements along the US-95 highway, such as Beatty or Amargosa Valley, but even they are situated at a significant distance from the guarded perimeter.

Business Services

Conference halls and business centres in the usual sense are absent. Instead, the base territory has briefing rooms and meeting halls equipped with secure communications. They are used exclusively for assigning tasks to crews, conducting safety briefings, and discussing the progress of tests. Renting these premises by third-party organisations is impossible.

When planning meals in the area of Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip), it is necessary to consider its exceptional status. Since it is a closed US Department of Energy facility, public restaurants, cafes, and dining venues common in civil airports are completely absent here. The gastronomic infrastructure is not designed for tourists and serves exclusively authorised site personnel.

Dining on the Facility Territory

For employees arriving on special "Janet" flights or working at the base on rotation, meals are organised in a specialised canteen (Mess Hall) located in the Mercury base camp. This is a closed-type establishment, access to which is possible only with service passes.

• Assortment: The menu is formed on the principle of providing high-calorie and balanced nutrition for working personnel. Usually, this is classic American cuisine: meat dishes, sides, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Gourmet dishes or artisanal cuisine are not offered here.
• Special Diets: Options for vegetarians or gluten-free dishes may be available in limited assortment, but specialised menus (such as halal or vegan) are usually not guaranteed by the canteen.
• Operating Hours: Canteen hours are strictly tied to personnel shifts and the schedule of service flight arrivals. Hot meals may be unavailable at night or during break intervals.

Where to Eat Nearby: Recommendations for Travellers

Since access to the airport canteen is closed to tourists, travellers passing by on highway US-95 (for example, on the way from Las Vegas to Death Valley or Tonopah) should arrange food in advance. The nearest dining points are located in settlements along the highway.

Indian Springs

This settlement is located approximately 25 km southeast of the Mercury exit. It is the closest point to the airport where food can be found.

• Type of Establishments: Mostly small cafes attached to entertainment venues or petrol stations operate here.
• What to Try: Simple and filling dishes — burgers, fries, and breakfast classics like eggs and breakfast meats. This is a classic "quick bite" format for the road.
• Average Bill: Budget-friendly, around 10–20 USD per person.

Amargosa Valley and Beatty

If moving northwest from Mercury (about 50–60 km), you can reach the town of Beatty, often called the "Gateway to Death Valley."

• Restaurants and Cafes: The choice here is wider: there are family diners, pizzerias, and cafes with Mexican cuisine.
• Signature Offerings: It is worth trying the famous "Chili" (thick meat soup with peppers) or homemade pies, often served in local historic establishments.
• Dietary Options: In Beatty, there is a better chance of finding vegetarian salads or legume dishes than in the roadside eateries of Indian Springs.

Pre-trip Advice

Given the desert nature of the area and the lack of service directly at the airport, it is strongly recommended to:

• Stock up on water and snacks in Las Vegas before setting off on highway US-95.
• Do not count on buying food or drinks after passing the Mercury checkpoint — this is impossible without clearance.
• Plan a stop for a full lunch in Las Vegas or the town of Beatty, where hospitality infrastructure is developed to a sufficient level for tourists.

It is important to note immediately: since Mercury Airport (Yucca Airstrip) is a closed facility of the US Department of Energy, classic tourist tips are not applicable here. It is impossible to buy a ticket here via an aggregator, and standard civil aviation rules do not apply. However, for authorised personnel (site employees and contractors) using service flights, strict protocols exist, knowledge of which is useful and educational for a broad audience as an example of how special facilities operate.

Arrival Time Recommendations

For passengers of special flights (known as "Janet") departing from Las Vegas to Mercury, the "arrive 2 hours early" rule works differently. Departure takes place from a separate guarded terminal located away from the main civil gates of Harry Reid Airport. Employees are recommended to arrive in advance to pass badge checks and briefings, as being late for a service flight can result in disciplinary action or denial of access to a work shift.

Check-in and Security Features

Forget about usual check-in counters and QR codes on smartphones. The boarding process here resembles entering a military base:

• Documents: Instead of a passport and ticket, the main document is a service ID (badge) with the appropriate clearance level (usually Q-clearance).
• Screening: Security checks are significantly stricter than in a regular airport. They look not for water or shampoos, but for any devices capable of recording information.
• Biometrics: Fingerprint or retinal scanners are often used at the entrance to confirm the identity of the pass holder.

What Can and Cannot Be Carried in Hand Luggage

This is the most critical point for anyone heading to Mercury. The list of prohibited items here is much wider than in civil aviation:

• Strictly Prohibited: Any electronics with photo or video recording functions, GPS trackers, "smart" watches, personal laptops, and tablets. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited from being brought onto the Yucca Flat territory or must be surrendered to special storage lockers before departure.
• Permitted: Paper books, personal medications, glasses, food in transparent containers.
• Advice: If you are flying to Mercury, leave all gadgets at home or in your personal car in Las Vegas. Violation of electronics transport rules is viewed as a threat to national security.

Seat Selection on the Plane

On "Janet" airline flights (usually Boeing 737 aircraft with a red stripe), seat numbering is absent. An open seating principle applies: whoever enters first takes a convenient seat. Passengers usually try to take aisle seats, as looking out the window is often discouraged, or window blinds may be forcibly closed by the crew when approaching certain zones of the site.

Recommendations for Transfer Passengers

The concept of a "transit flight" is absent at Mercury Airport. All flights are point-to-point (usually Las Vegas — Mercury — Tonopah and back). If you need to get to another site facility, the transfer will be carried out via ground service transport — buses or off-road vehicles.

Customs Control

Although the airport is within the USA, entering the Mercury zone is legally and factually equivalent to crossing a border. Control is carried out by security officers possessing federal authority. Inspection of cargo brought into the territory is conducted by dosimetrists and security specialists.

Tips for Saving Time and Money

• Money: You will not need cash or cards at Mercury Airport itself, as there is nowhere to spend them. All services for personnel are free or subsidised by the employer.
• Time: The only way to save time is to strictly follow the flight curator's instructions. Any delay at control or attempt to bring a prohibited item will delay not only you but the entire flight, which will raise serious questions from management.

What to Do in Case of Flight Delay

Flights to Mercury depend not only on the weather but also on the testing schedule or operational situation at the site. If a flight is delayed:

• Waiting takes place in a closed terminal hall without access to entertainment or communication with the outside world.
• Information about departure time is communicated by the shift supervisor; electronic boards with current status for public viewing do not exist.
• Passengers are recommended to have a printed book or magazine with them, as using a smartphone for entertainment will be impossible.