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Per U.S. Census Bureau:
NAWS China Lake and Surrounding
Elevation: 2,284 feet
Weather:
Humans: Dress to protect, use sunblock, stay hydrated, and plan/prepare for excursions and road-trips well as the desert does not discriminate.
Pets: The intense cold and heat of the high desert is extremely punishing, which is not an ideal place for outdoor pets so please take special care of your critters so that they do not suffer while playing/resting indoors or outdoors. When you leave your home for any period of time, ensure indoor temperatures are comfortable. When you and your pets go outside to play, ensure they have plenty of shade, water, and rest breaks. Do not walk your pets on asphalt/concrete in the heat of summer as their paws will burn and blister on the 165°F ground. For reference, hot water straight from your faucet is approximately 140°F. Never leave children or pets in vehicles.
Temperatures get extremely hot during the summer months, with a median temperature of 115 degrees or higher, from June through September, it is essential to dress properly in order to withstand the sun. Additionally, be aware that temperatures can drop to single digits in the wintertime.
Resources and Safety tips
China Lake has over 300 days of sunshine to take advantage of. Fleet and Family Support Center (610 Blandy Ave, Bldg. 2308) can offer ideas, resources and safety tips to make the most of your time here.
Mirror Lake can provide you with gear, rentals, and tickets for a variety of recreational and outdoor activities.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, dial your prefix for using DSN, the DSN 437 (for China Lake) then the last 4 digits of the number you are calling. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
China Lake provides quality shore-based infrastructure, base operating support services, safety and security, range and airfield support to the Navy's Research, Development, Acquisition, Test & Evaluation (RDAT&E) mission, Navy training capability, and other fleet and fleet support activities. Included in this mission is the significant environmental stewardship of approximately 1.1 million acres, covering all aspects of natural, cultural, and historic resources NAWS China Lake is the Navy's largest single landholding. It represents 85 percent of the Navy's land primarily used for RDAT&E and 38 percent of the Navy's total landholding worldwide. More than 95 percent of the land has been left undisturbed by testing activities. It has more than 20,000 square miles of controlled airspace. The primary tenant, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), executes full-spectrum weapons and warfare systems RDAT&E.
--MISSION to "Provide and maintain lands, facilities, and capabilities by way of a cadre of Shore Enterprise professionals that enable Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation of cutting edge technological systems, and training of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command personnel."
--VISION to support the Fleet, fighter and family fighting the Global War on Terror with consistent, standardized and reliable performance at China Lake by providing the right service, at the right time, at the right cost, and to be ready to defend the installation should the war come to our gate.
In the midst of World War II, adequate facilities were needed by the California Institute of Technology for test and evaluation of rockets. At the same time, the Navy needed a new proving ground for aviation ordnance. Cal Tech's Dr. Charles C. Lauritsen and then Cmdr. Sherman E. Burroughs met and formed a pact to find a site that would meet both their needs.
The Navy established China Lake as the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) in November 1943. Its mission was defined in a letter by the Secretary of the Navy, ".... a station having for its primary function the research, development and testing of weapons, and having additional function of furnishing primary training in the use of such weapons." Testing began within a month of the Station's formal establishment. The vast and sparsely populated desert with near perfect flying weather and practically unlimited visibility, proved an ideal location not only for test and evaluation activities, but also for a complete research and development establishment.
The early Navy-Cal Tech partnership established a pattern of cooperation and interaction between civilian scientists and engineers, experienced military personnel and defense contractors that has made China Lake one of the preeminent research, development, test and evaluation institutions in the world.
In 1950, NOTS scientists and engineers developed the air-intercept missile (AIM) 9 Sidewinder, which has become the world’s most used and most copied air-to-air missile. A few of the other rockets and missiles developed or tested at China Lake have included the Mighty Mouse, Zuni, Sidewinder, Shrike, Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) and Joint Direct-Attack Munition (JDAM).
In July 1967, NOTS China Lake and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Corona, California, became the Naval Weapons Center. The Corona facilities were closed and their functions transferred to the desert in 1971. In July 1979, the mission and functions of the National Parachute Test Range in El Centro were transferred to China Lake.
The Naval Weapons Center and the Pacific Missile Test Center Point Mugu were disestablished in January 1992 and joined with naval units at Albuquerque and White Sands, N.M. as a single command - the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. At the same time, the physical plant at China Lake was designated as a Naval Air Weapons Station - currently NAWS - and became host of the Weapons Division, performing the base-keeping functions.
The Station's role in the community has evolved from that of primary landlord and provider of services to that of being primarily a good neighbor. The present NAWS housing area, much smaller than that of the 1960s, is sufficient to support the Station's military. The community area of China Lake was annexed by the City of Ridgecrest in 1982 and today the spirit of community extends to residents both on and off the base.
The pioneering spirit and can-do attitude that helped early residents through China Lake's formative years have not disappeared. The direction and focus have changed during the years, but the China Lake community - military, civilian and contract personnel - remains active, interested and a vital part of the continued success of the United States Navy.
China Lake statistics (approximations as of March. 2025):
Approximately 28,373 people live at the nearby town of Ridgecrest, CA and the surrounding communities.
Welcome to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, high desert home of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, where the Navy and Marine Corps have developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system in the past five decades. China Lake is located 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles on the western edge of California's Mojave Desert. China Lake is a very military friendly city with a high population of Retired Active Duty and DoD Civilians and has a lower cost of living compared to the rest of the state of California. If you are arriving by air, you may fly into Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank International (Bob Hope Airport), Ontario International Airport or Bakersfield Airport. Shuttle service is available from the airport at a cost.
From Los Angeles International Airport: Take Interstate 405 North from the airport until you reach Interstate 5 and proceed North for a short distance where you will merge to State Route Highway 14. Stay on 14 as it goes through the town of Mojave. Continue right on Hwy 14 towards Bishop until you reach Highway 178 East, towards Inyokern. This highway leads right to the front gate of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
From Burbank Airport: Take Interstate 5 and proceed North where you will merge to State Route Highway 14. Stay on 14 as it goes through the town of Mojave. Continue right on Hwy 14 towards Bishop until you reach Highway 178 East towards Inyokern. This highway leads right to the front gate of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
From Ontario Airport: Take Interstate 10 East from the airport, then proceed to Interstate 215/ 15 North over the Cajon Pass; exit Highway 395 North stay on Hwy 395 all the way until you reach the Ridgecrest/ China Lake Blvd turnoff. Take China Lake Blvd all the way to the Main Gate (intersecting with Inyokern Rd.)
From Bakersfield Airport: Take Highway 99 South, quickly take the Highway 58 East. Stay on the 58 until it exits at Highway 14 and head North until you reach Highway 178 East, towards Inyokern. This highway leads right to the front gate of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
Quarterdeck 760-939-2303; CDO: 760-608-7004
China Lake is situated next to the town of Ridgecrest, a thriving town with a population of nearly 30,000. China Lake/Ridgecrest is located near three major highways, US Hwy 395 and California State Highways, 14 and 178. It is recommended you drive to China Lake during the daylight hours, as the town is remote. Transportation from airports can sometimes be arranged by your new command. Please check with them for availability.
From Los Angeles International Airport
Take Interstate 405 North from the airport, over the Hollywood Hills and across the San Fernando Valley. Then take Interstate 5 North a short distance to State Route 14. Remain on Highway 14, through Palmdale, Lancaster, Mojave and Red Rock Canyon until the Inyokern turnoff. Take Highway 178 east through Inyokern to China Lake and Ridgecrest. (160 total miles)
From Hollywood/Burbank Airport
Take Interstate 5 North from the airport until intersecting State Route 14. Take Highway 14 through Palmdale. Take the same directions as above. (140 total miles)
From Ontario Airport
Take Interstate 10 East from the airport, then Interstate 215/15 North exit towards Barstow/Las Vegas and over Cajon Pass. Take Highway 395 North exit towards Bishop/Adelanto and travel to the Ridgecrest turnoff. (120 total miles)
Miles to China Lake/Ridgecrest:
Ridgecrest Taxi service 760-384-2227.
Ride share is available by contacting Morale, Welfare and Recreation at 939-939-3440.