Operating a facility as large as China Lake is a monumental task, considering people and infrastructure are spread over an area of 1,735 square miles. Compounding the challenge is the diverse nature of the operations that includes weapons testing and evaluation in our air and ground ranges, research and development in highly sophisticated laboratories, and numerous science and technology projects ranging from sensors to chemical and material systems.  Additionally, NAWS China Lake is responsible for and provides many services to our tenants and employees to include a full-service Public Works Department, Force Protection, Federal Fire, Environmental Support, Safety and Occupational Health and several Community Support activities.

Air Operations

Armitage Field
Aircraft operations are conducted at Armitage Field which has three runways with more than 26,000 linear feet and 20,500 linear feet of taxiway. More than 20,000 manned and un-manned military sorties are conducted out of Armitage by U.S. Armed Forces each year.

Foreign military personnel also use the airfield and range to conduct more than 1,000 test and evaluation operations each year.

Nearly 900 military and civilians passed through Armitage Field in 2007.

Air Terminal
The NAWS China Lake Air Terminal complies with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) safety and security policies and guidelines including what items are prohibited on flights.

Please view TSA's Prohibited Items List prior to boarding a flight.

Shuttle Schedule
The scheduling of flights out of/into the air terminal is executed using the Scheduling and Manifest System (SAMS). To check passenger and flight status, please visit the SAMS website via NAWCWD's WingSpan (internal use only) or call DSN 351-7997.