U.S. Military Spent $11 Million on a Non-Event, Colonel Stands by Decision

The Meme That Made the Military Nervous

A viral Facebook event that started as a joke in 2019 turned into a major concern for the U.S. military, highlighting how internet culture can sometimes intersect with real-world consequences. Netflix’s documentary Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 delves into this unusual story, which began with a 21-year-old named Matty Roberts.

Roberts, now 26, created a satirical Facebook event titled “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.” Inspired by an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he described it as the “ultimate shitpost.” The event was meant to be a humorous take on the conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51, a classified U.S. Air Force base known for its association with extraterrestrial life.

What began as a lighthearted post quickly gained traction, attracting over two million people who expressed interest in attending. This unexpected attention caught the eye of the military, leading to significant preparations and a budget of around $11 million. The military took the threat seriously, fearing potential chaos if a large group attempted to storm the facility.

Colonel Cavan Craddock, who was involved in the planning, defended the spending. He argued that the military had to consider all possibilities, including the worst-case scenario of a mass casualty event. “I will defend to the final day that we did not overspend in our preparation for it,” he said.

The Day of the Event

On September 20, 2019, the day of the event, the situation was tense. Despite the high number of interested individuals, the actual turnout was relatively low. A local alien-themed festival in Rachel, Nevada, drew over 3,000 people, while others gathered in Las Vegas for related events.

At the military base, the atmosphere was chaotic, but the crowd never actually breached the facility. As the clock struck 3 a.m., the group approached the gate but stopped before entering. Local sheriff Kerry Lee recalled the moment with relief, noting that the event was ultimately just a joke.

Craddock explained that the military had spent months preparing for the event, but the actual activity was minimal. “That was the biggest activity we saw,” he said.

The Military's Response

The military took the threat seriously, emphasizing that they were prepared for any scenario. They released messages warning people not to attempt to enter the base and stressed that officials would protect the facility against trespassers.

Craddock mentioned that the military planned to treat all attendees as hostile until proven otherwise. He highlighted the potential dangers, such as someone in the crowd having a gun and causing a mass shooting. “Imagine someone in the crowd has a gun. If people start shooting and suddenly hundreds, maybe thousands of people get shot during this event, then you’re looking at one of the most deadliest mass shootings in the history of our nation,” he noted.

The Role of the FBI

In the lead-up to the event, the military reached out to Roberts and other organizers, urging them to cancel their plans. The FBI even visited Roberts and his mother to question them about their intentions. During this meeting, Roberts was told that “it was my ass if anybody decided to go in there and storm this base.”

Other Perspectives

The documentary also featured interviews with various individuals involved in the event. Hotel owner and Alienstock planner Connie West, ufologist Jeremy Corbell, and YouTuber Ben Schneider shared their perspectives. Their insights added depth to the story, showing the different ways people reacted to the meme.

The Series and Its Legacy

Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 is part of Netflix’s Trainwreck series, which explores various bizarre and unusual stories. Previous episodes have covered topics like P.I. Moms and Balloon Boy, showcasing the range of content the series offers.

This particular documentary highlights the intersection of internet culture and real-world events, offering a unique perspective on how a simple joke can lead to unexpected consequences. It serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the importance of taking online threats seriously.