NO question about that. I wondered even back then why there was SO MUCH military out there. It's out in the middle of nowhere but accessible to all of southern California...and THAT is very important.
I was stationed there at the Marine Corps Supply Center at Barstow in the early 70s. It is the west coast supply center and Repair facility for everything except aircraft. Dry desert climate makes for good storage conditions. Not much there then, the town, the bars, the Goldstone bar, and there was a girl behind every tree for young single Marines. Nothing as exciting as that went on when I was there. A lot of dumbassery here and there but no Wiley Coyotes launching themselves into the desert floor.