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In those early years, plutonium pits and weapon components were flown into Albuquerque's Kirtland Air Force Base. They were then transported and driven straight into the secretive depths of Los Alamos, where they were cradled in five vault rooms within the tunnel. This top-secret facility operated under tight guard, ensuring that its contents remained classified for decades.
The Road to Declassification
Recently, the federal government has declassified the tunnel primarily to help cut maintenance costs associated with its former highly-guarded status. This shift allows historians and researchers to gain insight into Cold War operations, but much of the information remains classified due to the sensitive nature of the weapons stored there.