Posted on 10/19/2025 7:36:57 AM PDT by TheDon
...
“The capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land and sea,” the statement reads.
The statement also indicated “no public highways or transportation routes [would be] closed,” but Caltrans told KTLA on Thursday that they were informed of a potential plan to close the freeway despite their cautioning against it.
The department of transportation issued a statement just before 8 a.m. Saturday clarifying details on the shutdown.
“Due to safety concerns, a section of Interstate 5 will be closed Saturday due to a White House-directed military event at Camp Pendleton involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway,” Caltrans said. “Because of the event and closure, drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event.”
...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick to criticize federal leaders for their decision to not (correction) shut down the critical stretch of 5 Freeway between Orange County and North San Diego County, calling the event “a vanity parade” in a social media post on Wednesday.
“PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD,” he said.
...
(Excerpt) Read more at thecoastnews.com ...
Newsom forced an unneeded freeway closure just to make a political statement against President Trump.
What does Greasy Gavin mean by “live ammunition”?
Since when is I-5 closed for operations at Pendleton? I never saw that happen.
Sounds like the No Kings Luigis are going to find another road to have the Polka Fest on.
I think they wanted to fire a round that I was cleared to fire, the W48, as a warning to San Francisco to clean up their act and sterilize their streets, or else, or it could be yhat they used the regular training rounds.
President Trump may have felt that it is too early in the game to introduce the W48 into the compliance battle with California.
The proper link was
What actually happened was
newsom heard of the Marine 250 event would have JD Vance and Pete Hegseth attending a live fire demonstration
newsom claimed the military would close the 5 down to have a live fire exercise so Trump could use it to intimidate no kings and his enemies
The military said closing of the I-5 was NOT needed
newsom did it anyway, and blamed it on Trump
NEWSOM IS A TOTAL SNAKE
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The Marine Expeditionary Force will host a live-fire Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton's Red Beach on Saturday to mark the Marine Corps' 250th birthday and America's Semiquincentennial, but Gov. Newsom said the event could lead to the closure of parts of Interstate 5 in the area.
Plans for the live-fire demonstration prompted criticism Wednesday from Gov. Newsom, who called the event "an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck."
Newsom floated the possibility of shutting down I-5 near Camp Pendleton due to safety concerns about ordnance being fired over the roadway, but the roadway is now expected to remain open following a risk assessment.
Newsom, however, continued his criticism of the event, writing on Twitter, "Donald Trump and JD Vance can find money to launch missiles over the I-5 during a government shutdown, but not a dime for Americans' health care."
typical news story on the event, that doesn’t say that military exercises happen all the time in the area
that the military had told newsom that the 5 did not have to be closed, and newsom ordered it anyway
that a practice live fire event happen friday, and no one made a stink about it
Major SoCal freeway closure for Marines event causes massive gridlock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87-FxZIWmEc
Closest I ever saw to a shutdown was when a few AV-8s were using the road parallel to the freeway as a provisional airstrip.
The traffic all stopped for the airshow.
I witnessed something similar with Hueys and Cobras landing next to the freeway.
People stopped at the rest stop, even on the freeway shoulder near San Onofre and were clapping, cheering the Marines and taking all kinds of pictures. No blue haired old white women were anywhere to be seen protesting imaginary kings.
Thanks for posting the correct link. Not sure how I missed that!
Let me guess: The surface roads near them are still open.
It never has happened. There are many ‘admin’ tunnels under the I-5 so the Marines can land, the push inland to finish their landing.
Yep, LZ Airshow stops a lot of traffic so the drivers can watch.
What to know
California drivers have peaked clean up time with live ammunition.
JD Vance’s Motorcade Hit By Shrapnel From Marine Celebration
https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vances-motorcade-hit-by-shrapnel-from-marine-celebration/
I would guess that someone in the gun crew set a mechanical time fuze incorrectly. Likely transposed some numbers and the crew chief didn’t check. It is normal in these events to have a safety card with the minimum safe time setting. My guess is human error and not materiel failure, but the military will CYA on it and blame the fuze.
The NYT? We’ll have to wait for a more reliable source. lol!
This misfire is a bizarre embarrassment, not to mention doing an airburst over I-5 and hitting a car as the democrat governor protested the live fire as a danger as we all mocked his absurdity.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.