Sandia LabNews

Then and now: Bunker at Tonopah Test Range


BLOCKHOUSE HISTORY — Observation Bunker 09-50 was built in 1960 to observe rocket launches at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. In the historical photo, R.C. Holland, who worked in the Rocket and Ordnance Section, inspects the new 09-51 bunker from the roof of the older 09-50. The bunker to its left, Bunker 09-51, was used as the fire control bunker and to house instrumentation needed to fire rockets for nearby launches. (Historical photo from the Lab News archives; recent photo by Craig Fritz; Video by Andrew Dormody)