U.S. Military Live-Fire Demonstration Sparks Concern After Dropping Shrapnel on CHP Vehicle
A recent U.S. military exercise at Camp Pendleton has raised concerns after live-fire artillery rounds were shot over Interstate 5, resulting in metal shrapnel falling onto a California Highway Patrol (CHP) protective services detail for Vice President JD Vance. According to agency officials, the incident occurred shortly after the detail had escorted Vance to the Marine Corps event.
The CHP reported that 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 was also struck. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Incident Details and Response
The shrapnel fell in the area around the Las Pulgas Road onramp to the southbound Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County, which cuts through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The CHP protective services detail had been ordered to wait there after Vance had been dropped off. 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.
A chunk of shrapnel is seen on the hood of a California Highway Patrol vehicle amid a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton.
(California Highway Patrol)
Government Response and Concerns
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.
“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.”
A map shows the direction of ordnance that the CHP says detonated prematurely, dropping shrapnel on Interstate 5.
(California Highway Patrol)
Artillery and Safety Concerns
The artillery was planned to be fired at 1:46 p.m., about half an hour after the CHP had stopped traffic along a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5. 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 report said that an artillery round shot from White’s Beach and aimed northward “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.”
The round was fired from a piece of artillery known as the M777 Howitzer,
Image Source: www.latimes.com
