Marines’ Artillery Test Over Busy California Freeway Sparks Safety Concerns
Commuters on Interstate 5 and passengers on a regional rail line were unknowingly subjected to a live artillery test by the U.S. Marines last Friday, raising significant safety concerns and questions about public notification procedures. The exercise, which involved the firing of 30 rounds from M777 howitzers, took place without the extensive precautions that were implemented the following day for the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday celebration at Camp Pendleton.
According to Lt. Col. Lindsay Pirek of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, the state was informed about the scheduled shelling, but state officials contend that the notification did not clearly indicate that live artillery would be fired over the freeway, leaving thousands of rush-hour commuters and train passengers unaware of the potential danger.
“We did not receive a notification that weapons would be fired over the freeway during Friday’s rehearsal,” stated a spokesperson for the California State Transportation Agency.
Caltrans captured video footage of the exercise, with one recording capturing a man noting, “That’s the fourth shot over the freeway.” State officials were taken aback by the unexpected firing, with one official describing it as a “complete surprise.”
The artillery rounds, each weighing approximately 100 pounds, were initially set to be fired earlier in the day, but the timing was postponed to allow for potential warnings to be posted along the freeway. However, the warnings were not activated until the following day, after the Marines had assured state officials that no live rounds would be fired over public highways during Saturday’s event.
Security measures were heightened on Saturday, partially due to the presence of Vice President JD Vance, who attended the celebration and watched as the howitzers fired their first volley. The U.S. Secret Service requested the suspension of train services through Camp Pendleton as part of security protocols involving the vice president’s visit.
On Saturday, during the live-fire demonstration, a premature explosion of an artillery round resulted in shrapnel falling on a California Highway Patrol cruiser and motorcycle, although no injuries were reported. The Marines are investigating the incident, suspecting a malfunctioning fuse as the cause of the midair explosion.
“Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous,” California Governor Gavin Newsom stated, emphasizing the decision to close a portion of I-5 due to safety concerns. Despite this, the White House’s Rapid Response Team criticized the closure, asserting that neither the White House nor the Marines had requested it.
The Marine Corps has previously fired artillery over I-5 without closing the route, though the frequency and specifics of such occurrences remain unclear. The California State Transportation Agency, however, claims to be unaware of any prior live-fire events involving state freeways.
In response, Rep. Mike Levin and other California lawmakers have demanded answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioning the decision-making process that led to this potentially hazardous situation. The lawmakers’ letter, co-signed by over two dozen members of Congress, expresses relief that no one was injured but highlights serious concerns about the event’s safety protocols.
For further information, please refer to the Los Angeles Times.
