CHINA LAKE, Calif. – Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Hammond, a native of Washington Township, New Jersey, plays a key role in supporting the Navy's research, testing and evaluation of cutting-edge weapons systems for today’s sailors.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley Gee |
Hammond is a mass communication specialist serving at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, known as “Secret City.”
“A vast weapons testing and training range operated by the U.S. Navy in California's Mojave Desert, this location is where military and civilian personnel developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system since 1943,” said NAWS China Lake public affairs officer, Margo Allen.
As a Navy mass communication specialist, Hammond is the squadron public affairs officer, answering questions and media inquiries about the everyday squadron life for sailors. Additionally, he runs a photo lab and photo studio for design graphic arts.
“I enjoy the overall family-first environment and it’s not necessarily the job per se, but the people who I work for and with,” Hammond said.
Hammond is a 1998 Washington Township High School graduate. According to Hammond, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Washington Township.
“While in high school, I went to a vocational school and studied radio and video production. That's where I discovered my love for photography,” Hammond said. “With the Navy, I get the opportunity to continue to work in that field taking photos and writing stories.”
NAWS China Lake is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles. The installation is the Navy's largest single piece of real estate, representing 85 percent of the Navy’s land for Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation (RDAT&E) use and 38 percent of the Navy’s land holdings worldwide. In total, its two ranges and main site cover more than 1.1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Operating a facility as large as China Lake is a monumental task, considering 19,600 square miles of restricted and controlled airspace makes up 12 percent of California's total airspace. Compounding the challenge is the diverse nature of the operations that includes weapons testing and evaluation in air and ground ranges, research and development in highly sophisticated laboratories, and numerous science and technology projects ranging from sensors to chemical and material systems.
The workforce at China Lake is a combination of military, civilians and contractors employed across many different commands focused on researching and evaluating cutting edge technological systems, and training of Navy personnel preparing for combat in areas around the world.
China Lake and the men and women who serve there play a key role in the Navy’s broader mission of protecting American interests on the world’s oceans.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Hammond is most proud of being able to balance work and home life in his 17-year naval career.
“I love being able to spend time with my kids and share the adventures and experiences I've had in the military,” Hammond said. “One of my daughters was born in Japan, so being able to take my kids to locations halfway around the world and being able to share these first-hand experiences with them, without having to relate by reading from a book, is pretty special.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hammond, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hammond is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Navy and retired as a master chief, my uncle served in the Navy for four years and my aunt served in the Air Force for four years as well,” Hammond said. “I enjoy being able to connect with my grandfather about similar experiences in the Navy and share things with him that I could not with others.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Hammond, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“The Navy gave me the opportunity to reset my life,” Hammond said. “Joining the military, gave me the experiences and practical use of the trades learned in vocational school.”
“A vast weapons testing and training range operated by the U.S. Navy in California's Mojave Desert, this location is where military and civilian personnel developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system since 1943,” said NAWS China Lake public affairs officer, Margo Allen.
As a Navy mass communication specialist, Hammond is the squadron public affairs officer, answering questions and media inquiries about the everyday squadron life for sailors. Additionally, he runs a photo lab and photo studio for design graphic arts.
“I enjoy the overall family-first environment and it’s not necessarily the job per se, but the people who I work for and with,” Hammond said.
Hammond is a 1998 Washington Township High School graduate. According to Hammond, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Washington Township.
“While in high school, I went to a vocational school and studied radio and video production. That's where I discovered my love for photography,” Hammond said. “With the Navy, I get the opportunity to continue to work in that field taking photos and writing stories.”
NAWS China Lake is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles. The installation is the Navy's largest single piece of real estate, representing 85 percent of the Navy’s land for Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation (RDAT&E) use and 38 percent of the Navy’s land holdings worldwide. In total, its two ranges and main site cover more than 1.1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Operating a facility as large as China Lake is a monumental task, considering 19,600 square miles of restricted and controlled airspace makes up 12 percent of California's total airspace. Compounding the challenge is the diverse nature of the operations that includes weapons testing and evaluation in air and ground ranges, research and development in highly sophisticated laboratories, and numerous science and technology projects ranging from sensors to chemical and material systems.
The workforce at China Lake is a combination of military, civilians and contractors employed across many different commands focused on researching and evaluating cutting edge technological systems, and training of Navy personnel preparing for combat in areas around the world.
China Lake and the men and women who serve there play a key role in the Navy’s broader mission of protecting American interests on the world’s oceans.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Hammond is most proud of being able to balance work and home life in his 17-year naval career.
“I love being able to spend time with my kids and share the adventures and experiences I've had in the military,” Hammond said. “One of my daughters was born in Japan, so being able to take my kids to locations halfway around the world and being able to share these first-hand experiences with them, without having to relate by reading from a book, is pretty special.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hammond, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hammond is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Navy and retired as a master chief, my uncle served in the Navy for four years and my aunt served in the Air Force for four years as well,” Hammond said. “I enjoy being able to connect with my grandfather about similar experiences in the Navy and share things with him that I could not with others.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Hammond, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“The Navy gave me the opportunity to reset my life,” Hammond said. “Joining the military, gave me the experiences and practical use of the trades learned in vocational school.”