The Trinity site, where the US set off the first man-made atomic explosion, is only open to the public twice a year. One of those times was last Saturday. I went with a couple of friends, expecting to find a couple dozen science geeks and amateur historians. I did not expect hundreds of camera-toting gawkers from all over the country who behaved as though they’d pulled over at the World’s Largest Ball Of Yarn!, rather than a great scar upon the earth inflicted by mankind and symbolic of his hubris and folly.

And yet…

Say cheese!

Look! This partially vaporized column must be important—it’s fenced off!

A replica of Fat Man, and…God Bless America.

The whole thing reminded me of those parades they have in Pakistan, where the military drags its nuclear-tipped missiles through the streets, met by cheering crowds. Hooray! We’re a nuclear power!

More from my field trip after the cut.

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Updated: KRQE follows up with a report that this new mission is based on a handshake. See vid after the jump.

A late Thursday release from the governor’s office:

Governor Bill Richardson Applauds New Mission for 150th Fighter Wing

SANTA FE-Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 150th Fighter Wing has a new mission. Under the new mission, the 150th, known as the Tacos, will become associated with the Air Force’s 58th Special Operations Wing based at Kirtland Air Force Base.

“This is great news for the State of New Mexico and the dedicated men and women who serve in our National Guard,” Governor Richardson said. “This distinguished unit, which has served our country for more than 60 years, will continue to play a critical role in our national defense. I am pleased that through our efforts we were successful in securing this new and important mission that will preserve valuable jobs and the proud tradition of our Tacos.”

And that’s the entirety of the press release. Are you wondering what the new mission is? I was. All this release told me is that Richardson is pleased as punch now that the Tacos are “associated” with a special ops wing at Kirtland, the nuke base.

OK, so I emailed the governor’s office, and here’s what I got back almost immediately:

“The new mission with the 58th is still being worked out and details will be released as they come available. The good news is that we won’t be losing jobs.”

Hmmm… not losing jobs is good, but I still wanted to know what the mission might be. I mean, I wouldn’t applaud a military mission if I didn’t know what it was. For all we know, it could be carpet-bombing western Pakistan or it could be test-piloting new potato-peeling technology. So, I googled….

From KOAT.com: “The new mission involves training for special operations, combat search and rescue and airlift operations.”

OK, that’s a little more information, but KOAT cites unnamed sources.

Hmmmm… What is going on here?

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