Introduction to the Incident
The U.S. military exercise that shot live-fire artillery rounds over Interstate 5 on Saturday dropped metal shrapnel onto a California Highway Patrol protective services detail for Vice President JD Vance, agency officials said Sunday. The incident occurred shortly after the detail had escorted Vance to the Marine Corps event at Camp Pendleton.
Details of the Incident
The shrapnel was from an explosive ordnance that was fired over Interstate 5 and “detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging a CHP patrol vehicle.” A CHP motorcycle with the detail also was struck. The shrapnel fell in an area where CHP officers were gathered to close traffic along the I-5 in northern San Diego County, which cuts through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Location and Impact
State officials decided to order the closure of the freeway during the live-fire exercise, conducted for the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration featuring Vance. The shrapnel that struck the CHP patrol vehicle was about 2 inches by 2½ inches, according to a CHP incident report obtained by the Los Angeles Times. No one was in the vehicle when it was struck. The shrapnel left what was described as a “small dent/scratch” on the vehicle’s hood.
Extent of Damage
Small bits of shrapnel struck the CHP motorcycle. An officer assigned to the protective services detail said he heard what sounded like “pebbles” falling on his motorcycle and three feet around him. A metal piece of shrapnel, about one inch in length and half an inch wide, was found near the motorcycle, which was not damaged. No injuries were reported, the CHP said.
Response to the Incident
State officers immediately contacted the Marines, which then “canceled firing additional live ordnance over the freeway, and the area was swept for further evaluation.” Gov. Gavin Newsom called the live-ammunition event over one of California’s busiest freeways “reckless.” The section of freeway that was closed for the live-fire demonstration is the only route connecting coastal Orange County to the beach cities of northern San Diego County.
Official Statements
“We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton,” Newsom said in a statement posted on X, “but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects.” The artillery was planned to be fired at 1:46 p.m., about half an hour after the CHP had stopped traffic around 1 p.m. along a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5.
Investigation and Aftermath
The exercise had been expected to last until 1:51 p.m., with about 60 rounds being fired, the CHP said in its report. The artillery rounds were shot from White’s Beach and were aimed northward, according to the CHP. The report said that one artillery round “failed to clear the roadway and detonated midflight near Interstate 5 southbound. After the failed round, the exercise was terminated and no additional munitions were fired.” Newsom had lambasted the White House for failing to coordinate or share safety information ahead of the Marine Corps celebration.
Safety Concerns
Administration officials, meanwhile, had insisted that the Pendleton event was safe and that a freeway closure was unneeded. Newsom’s office said Thursday it was told no live fire would go over the freeway. On Friday, however, military event organizers asked the California Department of Transportation for a sign along the I-5 that read “Overhead fire in progress.” On Saturday morning, the state was told that live rounds were set to be shot over the freeway around 1:30 p.m. CHP officials then urged the freeway closure due to safety risk and the likelihood that it would distract drivers.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and coordination between military and civilian authorities during live-fire exercises, especially when they are conducted near populated areas and major transportation routes. The lack of proper communication and the reckless decision to fire live ammunition over a busy freeway put the lives of many at risk, including those of the CHP officers and the general public. It is crucial that such incidents are thoroughly investigated and that measures are taken to prevent them from happening in the future.
FAQs
- What happened during the U.S. military exercise over Interstate 5?
- Metal shrapnel from a live-fire artillery round fell onto a California Highway Patrol vehicle and a motorcycle during a protective services detail for Vice President JD Vance.
- Was anyone injured during the incident?
- No, there were no reported injuries.
- Why was the freeway closed during the exercise?
- The freeway was closed due to safety concerns and the likelihood that the live-fire exercise would distract drivers.
- What was the response of Gov. Gavin Newsom to the incident?
- Gov. Newsom called the live-ammunition event over the freeway “reckless” and criticized the White House for failing to coordinate or share safety information ahead of the Marine Corps celebration.
- What actions were taken after the incident?
- The exercise was terminated, and no additional munitions were fired. The area was swept for further evaluation.
