How military's 'safe' plan to fire munitions over I-5 went off the rails with CHP cruiser hit

"It was supposed to be a boisterous event at Camp Pendleton celebrating 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps that included a live simulation of a beach assault by sea and air. The plan involved Marines firing high explosive rounds from M777 Howitzers - artillery used to launch shells in wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine - into designated ranges. Federal officials last week insisted it would be done with "all safety precautions in place" and said no public highways would be closed."

"But California officials expressed fears about those live rounds being fired over Interstate 5, which runs between the beach where the "landing" was taking place and the rest of the sprawling military installation. Then, on Friday evening, the Marines did a test run without notifying state officials, firing artillery rounds over the I-5, according to the governor's office - all while motorists drove on the freeway. The California Department of Transportation captured the live fire on video."

"Now, the California Highway Patrol is reporting that a cruiser parked on an onramp of Interstate 5 was hit by falling shrapnel after an artillery round exploded midair, far earlier than intended, forcing an early end to the artillery demonstration. Although no one was hurt, the revelations raised new questions about safety issues and whether it was wise to fire live munitions over a freeway during the ceremony."

Camp Pendleton hosted a 250th Marine Corps celebration featuring a live beach-assault simulation that included M777 howitzer fire. Federal officials said safety precautions would be followed and no public highways would close, but California authorities worried about rounds over Interstate 5 that separates the beach from the base. Marines conducted an unannounced Friday test firing over the I-5 while motorists drove, captured on Caltrans video. Governor Newsom ordered a 17-mile closure for the main event attended by about 15,000, including a speech by Vice President JD Vance. A CHP cruiser on an onramp was struck by falling shrapnel after a shell exploded midair, ending the demonstration early and prompting safety concerns; no injuries were reported.

Read at Los Angeles Times