The series of earthquakes that rocked Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California on July 4 and 5 of this year will
end up costing the service more than $5 billion to return the essential weapons and aircraft testing facility to mission capable status.
The Navy's massive base in China Lake, California, has ordered an evacuation for non-essential personnel after recent earthquakes have rendered the installation "not mission capable," a message posted on the base's Facebook page says.
"Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is responding to a 5.0 magnitude earthquake at 8:16 p.m., and a 7.1 magnitude earthquake at 8:19 p.m. Pacific time and multiple, consistent aftershocks on July 5 following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake and numerous aftershocks on July 4," the message says.
"NAWS China Lake is not mission capable until further notice; however, security protocols remain in effect. Safety of personnel is currently the highest priority."
