Overview
The Dulce Base conspiracy centers on the claim that a joint human-alien underground facility exists beneath Archuleta Mesa, near the town of Dulce, New Mexico. The most dramatic aspect of this legend is the "Dulce War" or "firefight" of 1979, where U.S. military forces reportedly engaged in lethal combat with "Grey" extraterrestrial residents.
The Origin of the Conflict
According to accounts popularized by Paul Bennewitz and later Phil Schneider, the conflict began during an expansion of the secret facility.
- The Drilling Incident: Schneider, a structural engineer, claimed he was involved in drilling new tunnels when they accidentally broke into a pre-existing cavern occupied by tall Greys.
- The Confrontation: A firefight allegedly broke out when military guards (often identified as Delta Force or Blue Berets) attempted to enter the lower levels. Schneider claimed he was struck by an alien plasma weapon that burned off several of his fingers and left him with a lasting scar.
- Casualties: Proponents allege that over 60 U.S. soldiers were killed in the encounter, leading to a temporary abandonment of the base or a renegotiation of the secret treaties between the government and the aliens.
The Facility Layout: Level 7
The base is described as having at least seven levels, each more restricted than the last:
- Level 6 ("Nightmare Hall"): Said to house genetic laboratories where humans and animals are subjected to cross-breeding experiments.
- Level 7: Allegedly used for cryogenic storage of "human guinea pigs" in cages and vats. The 1979 firefight is said to have centered on a struggle for control over these lower levels.
Investigation and Disinformation
- Paul Bennewitz: The first to report the base, Bennewitz was allegedly targeted by AFOSI agent Richard Doty with forged documents and fake electronic signals to distract him from classified military testing at Kirtland AFB.
- Thomas Castello: A man claiming to be a former Dulce security officer emerged in the 1980s, alleging he smuggled out the "Dulce Papers" and a video of the vats before going into hiding.
- Geological Reality: Scientists note that Archuleta Mesa is geologically capable of housing such structures, but no physical evidence of the massive ventilation shafts or supply routes required for a base of this magnitude has ever been found.