NAWS CHINA LAKE
NAVY
Ridgecrest, CA
United States
NAWS CHINA LAKE
NAVY
Ridgecrest, CA
United States
NAWS China Lake
Base Essentials
The Navy's largest installation by land area and premier weapons testing facility in the Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, CA — a highly technical posting in an extremely remote environment with significant career specialization opportunities.
Base Details
Type
Naval Station
Branch
NAVY
Command
CNIC
Status
Active
Est.
1943
Acres
1,100,000
Active Duty
2,284
Civilian
5,000
Population
30,000
Economic Impact
$2 billion
NAWS China Lake History
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Mojave Desert of California was established in 1943 and is the Navy's largest single landholding. Encompassing over a million acres, it is the premier facility for research, development, testing, and evaluation of naval weapons systems. Nearly every major air-launched weapon in the Navy's inventory was developed or tested at China Lake. The station's vast ranges, clear weather, and isolation make it irreplaceable for ordnance testing. Significant earthquake damage in 2019 required extensive reconstruction efforts that continue to this day.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
—
—
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
—
—
Historic Timeline
1943
Naval Ordnance Test Station Established
1967
Sidewinder Missile Refined and Perfected Here
1977
Redesignated Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1943
Naval Ordnance Test Station Established
The Naval Ordnance Test Station was established at China Lake, California, in 1943 to provide the Navy with a remote testing ground for air-launched weapons far from populated areas. The Mojave Desert location offered vast restricted airspace and a dry lakebed for operations.
1967
Sidewinder Missile Refined and Perfected Here
The AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile — one of the most successful weapons in military history — was developed and refined at China Lake from the 1950s through the Vietnam era. More than 90% of all aerial kills by U.S. and allied aircraft in the jet age have been achieved with weapons developed at China Lake.
1977
Redesignated Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
The installation was redesignated Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in 1977, reflecting its broader role as a full-spectrum weapons research and development center. China Lake controls more than 1.1 million acres — one of the largest restricted areas in the U.S. — and remains the Navy's premier air weapons test and evaluation center.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for NAWS China Lake.
NAWS China Lake Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for NAWS China Lake.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from NAWS China Lake.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to NAWS China Lake.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
NAWS China Lake — Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)
In-Processing
Sailors, Marines, and civilians arriving at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake report to their gaining command or organization during duty hours. China Lake is a vast weapons testing and evaluation installation — the Navy's largest — hosting the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and multiple test and evaluation squadrons. The command administrative office initiates check-in and coordinates in-processing appointments.
In-processing covers PSD for pay and records, medical enrollment at the Naval Health Clinic China Lake, housing coordination, and base orientation. The FFSC at (760) 939-2602 coordinates the mandatory Newcomers Orientation, which covers China Lake's unique defense research and testing mission and orientation to the very remote Ridgecrest/Mojave Desert environment.
China Lake is located in Ridgecrest, California — an isolated high-desert city about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles and 130 miles north of Barstow. The remote location means on-base amenities, community cohesion, and sponsor guidance are all especially important. The installation was significantly impacted by 2019 earthquakes and has undergone major reconstruction.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
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Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for NAWS China Lake.
On-post family housing at NAWS China Lake is managed through the Navy's MHPI program. Given China Lake's extremely remote Mojave Desert location, on-post housing is the primary choice for most military families. The on-post Ridgecrest communities provide the most practical option in an otherwise isolated environment. NAWS China Lake is located adjacent to Ridgecrest…
Local Market
$1,300/mo
rent
/
$280,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around NAWS China Lake
100
At National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near NAWS China Lake.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Office/Community Schools (SSUSD)
2
High Schools
View schools
1
Other Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is the Navy's premier weapons testing facility, located in the Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, California. It is one of the most remote major naval installations, far from any significant California metro area. Ridgecrest is a small desert city that serves the base population, and the surrounding terrain — Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and the Owens Valley — provides remarkable outdoor recreation.
Ridgecrest
Small Town
The only significant community near NAWS China Lake, Ridgecrest is a small Kern County desert city that exists primarily to support the installation. Sierra Sands Unified School District serves the community. The city has a Walmart, grocery stores, and basic services. The outdoor recreation access is exceptional — Death Valley National Park (45 min), Alabama Hills, Mount Whitney trailhead (90 min), and the Eastern Sierra Nevada are all nearby. Housing is very affordable by California standards.
Commute: 10 min
Schools: Sierra Sands Unified School District
Single service members
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Outdoorsy types
Death Valley NP proximity, Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierra access, very affordable CA housing, tight-knit desert community
Inyokern / Indian Wells Valley
Rural
The broader Indian Wells Valley communities around Inyokern and Trona are even more remote than Ridgecrest and appeal exclusively to families who want rural desert homesteads at very low prices. Schools are very small and rural. Not for everyone, but families who embrace the extreme desert lifestyle find enormous lots at extraordinarily low prices. The dark sky viewing is world-class.
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Sierra Sands USD
Outdoorsy types
Budget-friendly
Pet owners
World-class dark sky astronomy, extreme desert lifestyle, lowest land prices in southern CA, vast solitude
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at NAWS China Lake.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Fully taxed
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
California taxes active duty military pay for California legal residents at rates up to 13.3% — among the highest margin…
Spouse Income Tax
California taxes military pay if stationed in CA. Spouses may claim domicile elsewhere under MSRRA.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military can keep home-state plates but may owe use tax on vehicle purchase.
Property Tax
Disabled veterans may qualify for property tax exemption. Prop 13 limits assessment increases.
Pet Policies at NAWS China Lake
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at NAWS China Lake.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at NAWS China Lake.
Commissary
1
China Lake NAWS Commissary
Exchange
NEX
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sun 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Medical
Coming soon
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NAWS China Lake.
01
Are any base gates open 24 hours?
2 of NAWS China Lake's 4 gates operate 24/7; others have restricted hours or access levels. See the Gates section for individual gate schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for NAWS China Lake.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near NAWS China Lake.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.