The US military has apologised over a tweet saying it would fight “millennials” with stealth bombers if they attempted to enter Area 51, saying it “in no way” reflects their stance.

More than two million UFO fans signed up to “see them aliens” by storming the Area 51 base which has long been rumoured to house government secrets about alien life. However, only a few thousand UFO enthusiasts turned up in rural Nevada for the ‘pilgrimage’ on Friday.

The tweet – which was posted on Friday and has since been deleted – was done by the PR arm of the US military, called the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

It stated: “The last thing #Millennials will see if they attempt the #area51raid today” with a picture of military officers in front of a stealth bomber.

The following day the unit apologised. A spokesperson tweeted: “Last night a DVIDSHUB employee posted a tweet that in NO WAY supports the stance of the Department of Defense. It was inappropriate and we apologize for this mistake.”

Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Show all 40 1 /40 Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters headed to Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Martin Custodio wears a Pepe mask while standing near razor wire at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A boy wears a tinfoil hat at the gates of Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' A man dressed as an alien dances at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A person carries a sign outside a gate to Area 51 as an influx of tourists responding to a call to 'storm' Area 51, a secretive U.S. military base believed by UFO enthusiasts to hold government secrets about extra-terrestrials, is expected in Rachel, Nevada, U.S. September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart JIM URQUHART Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Rachel, Nevada Revelers pose at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People dance during a DJ set at 'Alienstock' EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Women dressed as aliens Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People holds signs at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People gathered at the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher) John Locher AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A group of people take the "Naruto run" position before they faux ran at an entrance Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Audrie Clark smokes a vape outside of the Storm Area 51 Basecamp event AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Attendee Ellie Urquhart walks past a security line AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses at an entrance gate Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A mans holds an inflatable alien AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' RACHEL, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 20: Revelers gather at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' on September 20, 2019 in Rachel, Nevada. The event is a spinoff from the original 'Storm Area 51' Facebook event which jokingly encouraged participants to charge the famously secretive Area 51 military base in order to 'see them aliens'. Two tiny desert towns not far from from the once-secret Area 51 are hosting related events this weekend. The military has warned attendees not to approach the protected Area 51 military installation. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses for photos as attendees gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. - Alien-hunters are arriving near Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Hundreds gathered in Nevada desert to 'see them aliens' Getty Images Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A military personnel member patrols with a dog Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters discuss with law enforcement officers as they gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. - Alien-hunters are arriving near Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A person carries signs outside a gate to Area 51 as an influx of tourists responding to a call to 'storm' Area 51, a secretive U.S. military base believed by UFO enthusiasts to hold government secrets about extra-terrestrials, is expected in Rachel, Nevada, U.S. September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart JIM URQUHART Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses in an alien costume near an access point to Area 51 EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Attendees listen to music during Alienstock festival on the "Extraterrestrial Highway AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A security guard stands at an entrance AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People dance during a DJ set EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People dressed in costumes chant as they approach a gate to Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' RACHEL, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 20: Revelers dance at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' on September 20, 2019 in Rachel, Nevada. The event is a spinoff from the original 'Storm Area 51' Facebook event which jokingly encouraged participants to charge the famously secretive Area 51 military base in order to 'see them aliens'. Two tiny desert towns not far from from the once-secret Area 51 are hosting related events this weekend. The military has warned attendees not to approach the protected Area 51 military installation. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Mario Tama Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' epa07857665 Members of the public talk in front of the entrance of the Alien Research Center during a 'Storm Area 51' party organized in Hiko, Nevada, USA, 20 September 2019. Starting as a joke the 'Storm Area 51' transformed into a gathering for alien believer with music and attractions held in several places around the Area 51. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A woman is detained by law enforcement after crossing into Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' A bus arrives for a 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses for photos as attendees gather to "storm" Area 51 AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 An attendee wears a tinfoil hat Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Danny Philippou, of Australia, pretends to "Naruto run" AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 epa07857873 People interact next to a military check point to Area 51 guarded by police officers and sheriff deputies as others go there to take pictures and possibly try to enter the site, near Rachel, Nevada, USA, 20 September 2019. Starting as a joke, the 'Storm Area 51' event transformed into a gathering for alien believers, with music and attractions held in several places around Area 51. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Law enforcement monitor a gate to Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People play with a football during a DJ set at 'Alienstock' EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People do the "Naruto run" at the gates of Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People celebrate on the road back after visiting a military security gate near Area 51 Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Men dressed as aliens dance at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event Getty

Area 51 tested aircraft ranging from the U-2 in the 1950s to the B-2 stealth bomber in the 1980s. The government spent decades refusing to acknowledge the site even existed, before releasing documents confirming it in 2013.

Its secrecy still fuels speculation that it’s where the government studies aliens.

Visitors descended on the tiny desert town of Rachel, a short distance from the military site, in response to a recent, viral social-media invitation to “storm” Area 51, raising concerns by local authorities of unruly crowds overwhelming the community.

The US Air Force issued stern warnings for people not to approach the gates of the Nevada Test and Training Range, where Area 51 is located.

However, crowds were significantly smaller than expected.

Around 1,000 people visited gates on Thursday and Friday, and more made the trek on long dirt roads near Rachel on Saturday.

Officials reported six arrests overall, mostly for misdemeanour trespassing on base property, a $1,000 (£800) fine. One man was arrested for disorderly conduct at a festival venue and one for public urination at a base gate.

In Nye County, west of Las Vegas, authorities reported no arrests after a total of about 200 people showed up early on Friday at two remote gates to the once-secret Area 51 facility.

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In Lincoln County, Sheriff Kerry Lee said about 20 people broke from among revellers early Saturday and “acted like they were going to storm, but stopped short.”

On Friday, one man was treated for dehydration by medics at the Rachel festival.