NAWCWD CHINA LAKE

[gfydad]

Located some 265 driving miles from downtown Los Angeles, China Lake sits at the cutting edge of weapons development for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps aviation. Adjacent to the city of Ridgecrest in California's Indian Wells Valley, the area was first tagged for use as a range for live testing of Navy missiles back in the summer of 1943, while World War Two was in full swing.

The area, while being both remote enough to facilitate testing but still within reach of the scientists of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Shortly after the assessment of Dr Charles Lauitsen (of Cal Tech) and Commander Jack Renard (US Navy) during an overflight, the area soon became the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS).


China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station is a part of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division which includes the Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu on the California coastline near Oxnard.

The list of weapons developed and tested at China Lake is long and includes many munitions carried into combat, from WWII up to and including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Through a joint activities partnership, all branches of the United States armed forces participate in the development and testing of weapons systems. Recently, the first USAF F-35 flight test vehicle was transferred to China Lake for further testing. International participation also includes many of America's allies.

Two squadrons call China Lake home. VX-31 "Dust Devils" which is involved with weapons development as well as the base's search and rescue operations, and VX-9 "Vampires" which handles the testing of munitions. As soon as the gear is up, the pilots enjoy one of the largest test ranges in the world.

While one would expect to see the F/A-18 Hornet represented in most of its models as well as Harriers and even some Prowlers, fixed wing isn't the only craft on the ramps. The advanced models of the UH-1Huey (Yankee) and AH-1 Cobra (Zulu) copters are also on hand for testing.

Also ready for action are the Search and Rescue (SAR) team of VX-31 in their UH-60 Seahawk. The team's quick response was brought home in January this year when they received a call of a lost boy in the Chimney Creek area at 7:30am, were airborne by 8:10am and on scene by 8:30am. The SAR team of
Lt. Cmdr. Ken Gilbert, Lt. Neal Barham, AWSC John Jennings, AWS1 David Finn and HM2 Ben Hernandez proceeded to finish off the rescue operation by Hernandez repelling some 100 feet to retrieve the youngster from the arms of a ground searcher. Effective treatment of the lad's hypothermia and frostbitten feet was performed while in route to a hospital.

The technologies tested and proven for fleet use at China Lake help to keep U.S. Airpower at the sharp end of the spear and our aircrews equipped with some of the finest tools available.

[gfydad]

Some flight operations during my visit.

The level of activity at China Lake varies a lot due to the mission of the base. Weapons testing yields far fewer sorties when compared to bases frequented by training squadrons such as NAF El Centro.

At China Lake, there are usually two types of sorties. There are the test flights where the card is followed and, after completion, the aircraft returns to land. Then there are the flights which are for a pilot's proficiency during which there will be some touch 'n goes.

[gfydad]

The first ramp one encounters is that of the VX-31 Dust Devils.

[gfydad]

Thes eshots of the VX-9 Vampires ramp show another plus at China Lake... the Sierra Nevada Mountains which make for a very nce background!

[rander]

Good you got to go on base to look around. Phantastic Photos. Hope you had a great time while onbase. i shot apic of the UH-60 last fall while it was at North Island.

Not to many photographers go to China Lake.

[gfydad]

Thanks! The folks there were very kind. 

[Midnight Mover]

Some flight operations during my visit.

Great shots Jim Never been to China Lake before. I think when they had air shows I did not venture that far

[kick Z tail out]

Very cool... my aunt is a civilian employee on base. She told me last year she could get me a tour. Although I think I need to specify I'd want a flight line tour, not a tour of her office building.

[SkyBaby]

Great pictures!!!  What did you do to get a tour?  I wanna go too!!

[gfydad]

Thanks all!

I got the chance due to the images I took as well as the story I did on VX-9 when they were at Burbank to fly over the BCS game.

It was a very interesting time as I found myself composing many of the ramp shots with the Sierras in mind as much as the aircraft. Also, the shelter shot was challenging (at least for me) as the sun was at the rear of the shelter making for some stark contrast.

[Realbigtaco]

Great shots Jim!

[robin990]

That White SAR Seahawk got to be a nightmare to keep clean , actually impossible with all the engine exhaust.

Cool pics Jim.