“The new modern air traffic control tower, an integrated fire/rescue station, aircraft hangers, laboratory space and an expanded aircraft apron will ensure reliable and safe air and ground field operations in support of our warfighters,” it states. The construction of the state-of-the-art South Airfield will restore the capabilities of Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division to execute the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation mission, according to a news release from the Officer in Charge of Construction China Lake Public Affairs. That’s roughly 144 football fields,” said OICC China Lake Commanding Officer Capt. The groundbreaking today kicks off the largest single construction contract in the earthquake recovery program season, encompassing a footprint of over 190 acres. “Inside the OICC, we call the South Airfield construction effort the Super Bowl of the earthquake recovery program. Located at the South Airfield on Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, this part of the program is comprised of six projects that will deliver new and improved facilities to develop and test current and future warfighting capabilities. Kicking off with a dramatic F/A-18 flyover as part of the welcoming remarks for the groundbreaking ceremony, the first NAWS project to break ground is the largest project in the program. South Airfield Earthquake Recovery Projects These facilities were damaged from devastating 6.4 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes that rocked the Mojave Desert region of California on July 4 and 5, 2019. The events marked the milestones of active construction beginning on all military construction and restoration and modernization projects awarded in FY2020 for the repair and construction of research facilities at NAWS China Lake. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the projects took place in March and April 2021.

Velo Group is providing Construction Partnering facilitation services for two of the three Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake $2.3 billion Earthquake Recovery Program projects.

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