A planned military artillery exercise over a major highway in Southern California has provoked significant criticism and safety concerns from state officials. The exercise, part of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Camp Pendleton on March 16, 2024, will see live rounds fired over a 17-mile (27 kilometers) stretch of Interstate 5, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to order the closure of that portion of the highway.
In a statement, Governor Newsom expressed his disapproval, stating, “The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.” His remarks highlight the tension between federal military operations and local governance, particularly regarding public safety.
Despite these objections, Vice President Vance and officials from the U.S. Marine Corps maintain that the event poses no safety risks. Vance, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, will attend the event to commemorate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, which includes a demonstration of amphibious vehicles and aircraft, as well as a beach landing. They argue that the exercise will take place within approved training ranges and adhere to established safety protocols.
The California Department of Transportation had initially considered closing the freeway earlier in the week. Ultimately, officials decided to implement the closure after practice firings took place over the highway on the evening of March 15. The state’s transportation agency responded to requests from event organizers for signage warning drivers of “Overhead fire in progress,” resulting in the closure from 11:00 to 15:00 local time on Saturday.
The California Highway Patrol has advised travelers to expect delays not only during the closure but also before and after the event. According to spokesperson Matt Rocco, “This is all because of the White House-directed military event, that for the safety of the public, we need to shut down the freeway since they’re sending live ordinances over the freeway.”
The impact of the closure could be significant, with estimates suggesting that it could add as much as two hours to travel times for commuters between San Diego and Los Angeles. The I-5 serves approximately 80,000 travelers daily and facilitates around $94 million in freight movement through the corridor, according to the governor’s office. Additionally, passenger rail services operating parallel to the I-5 will be suspended for the afternoon due to the military exercise.
In response to the governor’s concerns, a spokesperson for Vice President Vance, William Martin, claimed that Newsom was misleading the public regarding safety risks, asserting that the artillery training is routine. “If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead,” Martin stated.
As the military prepares for this high-profile event, the situation underscores the complexities of balancing military operations with local safety concerns and the potential disruptions caused by such exercises. The Associated Press has reached out for further comments from the U.S. Marines and Vance’s office to clarify the planned activities and their implications for public safety.
