Military Artillery Exercise Sparks Highway Closure in California

A planned military exercise involving live artillery fire over a major highway in Southern California has led to significant backlash from state officials. Vice President JD Vance is set to attend this event at Camp Pendleton, which celebrates the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. In response to safety concerns, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the closure of a 17-mile (27 kilometers) section of Interstate 5 during the exercise.

Governor Newsom criticized the decision to conduct live fire exercises over the busy highway, 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.” This statement reflects the governor’s concerns regarding the potential risks associated with the event.

Despite these objections, Vice President Vance and officials from the U.S. Marine Corps assert that the exercise poses no danger to the public. They emphasize that the event will occur on approved training ranges and adhere to established safety protocols. According to Vance, any opposition to the training exercises undermines the effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

The exercise is planned for Saturday, March 16, 2024, and includes a demonstration of amphibious vehicles and aircraft, culminating in a beach landing. State transportation officials had considered closing the freeway earlier in the week, but the U.S. Marines maintained that the training would not disrupt traffic on the interstate.

Following practice firings over the freeway on Friday evening, the California Department of Transportation confirmed the closure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. Travel delays are expected not only during the closure but also before and after the event. Matt Rocco, a spokesperson for the department, stated, “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 California Highway Patrol is prepared to manage traffic disruptions, which could extend travel times by as much as two hours for commuters between San Diego and Los Angeles. The freeway serves approximately 80,000 travelers and facilitates around $94 million in freight daily, highlighting its crucial role in the region’s transportation network. Concurrently, passenger rail services that run parallel to I-5 have also been canceled for the afternoon.

In a statement to The New York Times, William Martin, a spokesperson for Vice President Vance, refuted the governor’s claims, arguing that the training exercises are routine and necessary for maintaining a capable military. “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 remarked.

As the military prepares for this showcase, the tensions between state and federal officials highlight differing perspectives on public safety and military readiness. The outcome of this event will likely have implications for future military exercises in populated areas.