Pahute Mesa Airstrip (ICAO: KL23) is a small, restricted-use airstrip located within the Nevada National Security Site (formerly the Nevada Test Site) near Mercury, Nevada. It serves the remote Pahute Mesa area, which was a significant zone for underground nuclear testing during the Cold War era. The airstrip is not open to the general public and operates under strict access controls managed by the U.S. Department of Energy and associated contractors. It primarily supports government and contractor operations related to the Nevada National Security Site. Mercury, Nevada, is itself a closed government town that serves as the base of operations for the Nevada National Security Site. The surrounding area remains restricted, and all access requires proper security clearance and authorization.