Edwards Air Force Base sends earthquake response to naval base in Ridgecrest, CA

Edwards Air Force Base personnel provided emergency crews to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake near Ridgecrest, California, in the wake of a pair of high desert area earthquakes.

“Crews maintained their posture locally after the July 4th earthquake; responders went through the base looking for damage during that time,” Timothy Johnson, Edwards AFB Fire and Emergency Services fire chief, said. “(Then) I received a request from NAWS China Lake Fire Department to help support in damage assessment, fire suppression, and accountability of any lost personnel.”

The U.S. Geological Survey documented the first earthquake, which possessed a 6.4 magnitude, struck at 10:33 a.m. on July 4, and a second quake shook the area the following day at 8:20 p.m. with a stronger 7.1 magnitude.

“After the quakes our defender, firefighter, and civil engineer teams went out to do initial damage assessment to ensure Edwards (AFB) and Plant 42 was safe and secure; we immediately established communications with Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, and they didn’t need anything from us after the Thursday quake, but they needed our help on Friday,” Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, said. “And immediately, we deployed a fire and rescue team to work throughout the night and morning to do their initial response and emergency response for what they needed at NAWS China Lake.”