China Lake Naws (Armitage Field) Airport
China Lake, United States
China Lake Naws (Armitage Field) Airport
Military airfield at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station.
- ›Armitage Field is named after Ensign John Armitage, killed during World War II flight training.
- ›China Lake NAWS is the U.S. Navy's largest single landholding, covering over 1.1 million acres.
- ›The station is responsible for testing a significant portion of the Navy's air-delivered weapons.
- ›The facility is located in the Mojave Desert, providing vast restricted airspace for weapons testing.
- ›Access to Armitage Field is strictly restricted to military and authorized government personnel.
China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) is a restricted military airfield located within Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Mojave Desert of California. It serves as the primary aviation facility for one of the U.S. Navy's largest test and evaluation installations, covering over 1.1 million acres. The airfield supports weapons research, development, and testing operations and is not open to civilian commercial traffic.
- Armitage Field Operations — Military flight operations facility serving Navy personnel, contractors, and authorized government aircraft only.
- Private vehicle or base vehicle on military installation
- Government shuttle for authorized personnel
- Rideshare or taxi from nearby Ridgecrest city center
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ridgecrest
- Heritage Inn & Suites Ridgecrest
- Hampton Inn Ridgecrest
- Econo Lodge Ridgecrest
Dining on the installation is limited to military galleys and contractor cafeterias accessible only to authorized personnel. The nearby city of Ridgecrest, approximately 8 miles away, offers a range of restaurants, fast food chains, and local diners. Visitors staying in Ridgecrest will find most major chain options along China Lake Boulevard.
- Access to the airfield requires valid military ID or prior security clearance authorization — plan well in advance.
- The Mojave Desert climate means extreme heat in summer; carry water and sun protection at all times.
- Ridgecrest is the nearest civilian city and serves as the primary hub for lodging, dining, and services.
- The Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest offers insights into the region's history and petroglyph sites accessible by tour.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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