Edwards Air Force Base

Edwards Air Force Base is not merely an airport, but a true legend in the history of global aviation and astronautics. Located in the Californian Mojave Desert, it has served as the primary flight test centre for the US Air Force since 1951. It is here, against the backdrop of sun-scorched landscapes and dry lakes, that the most daring and revolutionary aircraft were tested, from the first American jet plane to hypersonic missiles and the "Space Shuttle" orbiters. The base is named in honour of test pilot Glen Edwards and is synonymous with advanced aerospace technologies and records.

A key feature of Edwards Air Force Base is its unique location on the edge of the dry Rogers Lake. The perfectly flat surface of the lake, covering over 110 square kilometres, is used as a gigantic natural runway, allowing for the safe testing of experimental and non-standard aircraft. The base grounds host one of the longest runways in the world, specially prepared for the landing of spacecraft from the "Space Shuttle" programme, for which Edwards served as a reserve airfield.

Today, Edwards continues to remain at the forefront of aviation innovation. Joint tests with NASA on the latest machinery are conducted here, including unmanned aerial vehicles and experimental aircraft such as the X-59, designed to revolutionise supersonic flight. Although access to the base for the general public is restricted due to its military status, its contribution to the development of technologies we use today cannot be overestimated.

• Official Website: www.edwards.af.mil — the main source of official information about the Air Force base.
• Helpline Phone: (661) 277-1110. This is the number for the base's main operator, who can direct you to the required department.
• Address: Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93524, USA. The airbase is located near the city of Edwards, California. Please remember that this is an active military facility, and access to the territory is strictly restricted.
• Email: A direct email address for general enquiries is typically not published. For communication, it is recommended to use the contact forms on the official website or contact the Public Affairs office.
• Social Media: You can follow news and events on the official pages of the airbase on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Lost Luggage Information: As this is a military airbase, there is no standard baggage tracing service for civilian flights here. For issues regarding lost personal items within the base territory, one should contact the main phone number.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Support in the traditional sense for commercial passengers is absent. For all questions related to visiting the base (including obtaining permits and access rules), it is necessary to contact the Visitor Control Center via the main operator.

Before planning a trip, it is important to understand that the USA Air Force Base "Edwards" (Edwards Air Force Base) is an active and strictly guarded military facility, not a commercial airport for civilian passengers. Access to the territory is strictly limited to military personnel, their families, government contractors, and pre-approved visitors. Ordinary tourists cannot use this base for flights.

Car Rental

For those with entry permission, a car is the most practical and, essentially, the only reliable way to reach the base. Edwards is located in the Mojave Desert, and can be reached via major highways. Visitors usually fly into one of the region's commercial airports, for example, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) or Ontario International Airport (ONT), rent a car there, and drive to the base. The journey from Los Angeles will take about 2-2.5 hours depending on traffic, and from the nearby cities of Lancaster or Palmdale — about 30-50 minutes. To pass through the checkpoint, valid grounds and appropriate documents will be required.

Taxis and Transfers

A trip by taxi or using services like Uber and Lyft is possible but will be very expensive due to the remoteness of the base. It is important to remember that the driver can only take you to the entry gates (Checkpoint). You will not be allowed further without permission, and the driver cannot enter the territory to drop you off. This option only makes sense if you are being met at the gates by a person with base access.

Public Transport

There is no direct public transport connection (buses, trains) to Edwards Air Force Base. Its remote and isolated location makes it impossible to use regular civilian routes to access the territory.

Parking and Recommendations

For authorised visitors arriving by car, parking areas are provided within the base territory. The main recommendation for anyone planning a visit to Edwards AFB: contact your sponsor on the base in advance or visit the official Edwards AFB website to clarify all access rules, obtain passes, and receive instructions. Without prior permission, access to the base will be impossible.

It is crucial to understand that Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) is, primarily, an active military facility of the USA Air Force, and not a civilian commercial airport. Its main function is conducting flight tests and research, rather than serving scheduled passenger flights.

Consequently, the airbase lacks passenger terminals in the sense familiar to tourists. There are no standard departure and arrival zones, check-in counters for commercial airlines, or terminal transfer maps for the general public. All infrastructure is designed to serve military, governmental, and testing needs.

Any facilities for receiving and dispatching passengers that may exist on the territory are intended exclusively for authorised personnel — military service members, government employees, and participants in special programmes (such as Space-Available). Admission and screening procedures here comply with strict military protocols and have nothing in common with civil aviation.

Thus, for the ordinary traveller, searching for information about terminals, navigation, and security check times at Edwards Air Force Base serves no practical purpose, as the facility does not service commercial passenger transport.

The history of Edwards Air Force Base is a chronicle of the boldest achievements in the USA aerospace industry. Its journey began in 1933, when the Muroc bombing and gunnery range was established on the site of the dry Rogers Lake. During World War II, it became a fully-fledged airfield, and received its modern name in 1949 in memory of test pilot Glen Edwards, who perished during tests of the experimental Northrop YB-49 bomber.

The airbase's finest hour came after the war when it became the main centre for flight tests. It was here, on 14 October 1947, that an event occurred which forever changed aviation: Captain Chuck Yeager, in the Bell X-1 rocket plane, broke the sound barrier for the first time in history. The unique natural conditions, specifically the gigantic flat surface of the dry lake, created an ideal runway for the riskiest experiments.

In the following decades, the legendary "X" series aircraft were tested at Edwards AFB, pushing the boundaries of speed and altitude. The pinnacle of this programme was the North American X-15 rocket plane, which performed suborbital space flights in the 1960s, reaching hypersonic speeds. These records made a huge contribution to the development of space technologies and astronaut training.

With the development of the NASA space programme, Edwards Air Force Base took on a new important role. Thanks to its massive main runway and backup unpaved strips on the lake bed, it was selected as the primary landing site for the Space Shuttle orbiters. The first shuttle, "Columbia", landed here after its debut orbital flight in 1981, and for 30 years the base received ships returning from space.

Today, Edwards Air Force Base remains at the cutting edge of aviation technologies. Virtually all new aircraft entering service with the US Air Force undergo testing here, from fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, to strategic bombers and unmanned systems. The base also houses the prestigious US Air Force Test Pilot School, training the elite of global aviation. Its motto — "Ad Inexplorata" ("Toward the Unexplored") — reflects the spirit of this legendary place perfectly.

It is important to understand that Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) is an active military facility of the USA Air Force, and not a civilian commercial airport serving regular passenger flights. Access to its territory is strictly limited and intended for military personnel, their families, and authorised visitors. Consequently, standard infrastructure for tourists, customary for international airports, is absent here.

There are, of course, facilities on the airbase territory for the needs of service members and staff. This includes dining halls, Base Exchange (BX) stores, post offices, and base medical clinics. However, all these services are unavailable to the general public and are not designed to serve tourists.

Thus, at Edwards Air Force Base, you will not find the following amenities for passengers:

• Publicly accessible restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops.
• Public waiting halls, business or VIP lounges.
• Currency exchange points and commercial bank branches.
• Hotels directly on the territory for tourists.
• Conference rooms for rent by civilians.

Travellers planning to visit this region of California should focus on nearby civilian airports. The largest and most convenient of these are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). For more local options, one can consider Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD).

It is important to realise that Edwards (EDW) is an active Air Force base of the USA and does not function as a commercial civilian airport. Access to its territory is strictly limited and intended for military personnel, their families, and authorised visitors.

In this regard, Edwards Air Force Base lacks standard passenger terminals with departure and arrival zones, as well as publicly accessible restaurants, cafes, or food courts for tourists. All dining facilities located on the base territory are intended exclusively for serving service members and base personnel.

Travellers flying out of Southern California should look towards large international and regional airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank (BUR), or Ontario (ONT), where a wide selection of establishments for every taste and budget is presented.

When planning a trip associated with Edwards Air Force Base, it is vital to understand that this is an active military base of the USA, and not a publicly accessible commercial airport. Access to its territory is strictly regulated and permitted only to military personnel, their families, civilian staff, and officially invited visitors. Standard advice for air passengers is not applicable here, and all procedures adhere to strict military protocols.

Arrival time at the base must be precisely coordinated with your host (sponsor). Instead of standard flight check-in, you will face a check at the control post (Checkpoint). Be prepared to present a valid government-issued ID (such as a passport or driving licence), as well as all necessary permit documents. Your vehicle and personal belongings may be inspected. Without prior permission and a sponsor, access to the base is impossible.

Rules regarding the carriage of personal items are determined by internal Department of Defence regulations, rather than standard rules for commercial airlines. It is strongly recommended to bring only the absolute essentials. Any items arousing suspicion may be confiscated. It is categorically prohibited to transport weapons, explosives, narcotics, and other items restricted from circulation on military facilities.

Concepts such as seat selection on the plane, transit zones for transfers, or standard procedures for flight delays are irrelevant to base visitors. Flights from Edwards Air Force Base are of a military or test nature. In the event of any schedule changes or other unforeseen situations, all coordination is carried out exclusively through your official representative or sponsor on the base. Saving time is achieved through the advance preparation of all documents and strict adherence to instructions.

The main advice for anyone planning to visit Edwards Air Force Base: stay in constant contact with your sponsor. It is they who will provide you with comprehensive information regarding codes of conduct, arrival times, necessary documents, and current restrictions. Strict adherence to the instructions received is the key to a trouble-free and safe visit to this unique facility.