October 19, 2025Oct 19 NYTimes headline now: Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines’ Celebration, California Officials Say The mishap, during an anniversary celebration for the Marine Corps attended by the vice president and defense secretary, underscores safety concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced before Saturday’s event at Camp Pendleton.
October 19, 2025Oct 19 I would like to see evidence of this. From what I've seen all live fire was conducted on the live fire range as it has been every other time in the past. Also every other time in the past interstate 5 has never had to been closed.
October 19, 2025Oct 19 44 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said: Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines’ Celebration, California Officials Say Impressively professional, to have a swinger on such a prestidgeous occasion!
October 19, 2025Oct 19 3 minutes ago, dinsdale said: I would like to see evidence of this. From what I've seen all live fire was conducted on the live fire range as it has been every other time in the past. Also every other time in the past interstate 5 has never had to been closed. If it was an airburst, at height due to the trajectory of the shell, there will be little evidence save for some widespread fragments. The remains of the fuze itself (clockwork or radar proximity) will have continued and fallen a long way away, probably never be found.
October 19, 2025Oct 19 The dangers of U.S. artillery support are well known amongst America’s military allies. Often referred to as ‘friendly fire’.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Author Popular Post Patrol car struck by shrapnel from artillery round fired over I-5 from Camp Pendleton, CHP says Updated on: October 19, 2025 / 4:53 PM PDT / CBS LA California Highway Patrol officials say that a patrol vehicle was struck by shrapnel from an artillery round that was fired during Saturday's live-fire event at Camp Pendleton to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary. The metal shrapnel came from an "explosive ordnance fired over the Interstate 5 freeway" that had "detonated overhead prematurely," CHP said in a news release. The falling piece of shrapnel damaged the patrol vehicle just after 1:45 p.m., CHP said. No injuries were reported, and CHP officers informed USMC personnel at the scene, who canceled any additional firing of live ordnance over the freeway. The surrounding area was also swept by law enforcement. (with photos) https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/camp-pendleton-live-fire-demonstration-shrapnel-5-freeway-california-highway-patrol/
October 20, 2025Oct 20 40 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said: The dangers of U.S. artillery support are well known amongst America’s military allies. Often referred to as ‘friendly fire’. It has been said that the most ominous phrase that can be heard at any "O group" (military briefing) is "close air support will be provided by the US Air Force!"
October 20, 2025Oct 20 8 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said: The metal shrapnel came from an "explosive ordnance fired over the Interstate 5 freeway" that had "detonated overhead prematurely," CHP said in a news release. The falling piece of shrapnel damaged the patrol vehicle just after 1:45 p.m., CHP said. Sure, these things happen. Bound to get one bad unit in a batch of hundreds fired off, right? The military had planned to fire multiple rounds on Saturday but made a decision to fire only one round, according to Marines on site for the exercise. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/us/artillery-interstate-5-marines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU8.8TeD.r-pJZ-0R_0td&smid=url-share Winning?
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Author 4 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said: Sure, these things happen. Bound to get one bad unit in a batch of hundreds fired off, right? In this case they happen when the military for ceremonial purposes decides to fire live rounds over an active interstate freeway. From the above nytimes link: The plans to fire over the freeway triggered outrage by Gov. Gavin Newsom late Friday night after his office had been informed days earlier that the celebration would not involve firing munitions across Interstate 5, a heavily traveled corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 I have driven up and down I-5 from Orange County to San Diego 100's of times. Camp Pendelton takes up a lot of real estate on both sides of I-5. The Marines are constantly training day and night. A Navy LCAC base is located on the west sdie of I-5 and LZ's for all of the Marine Corps rotory wing assests are located on both sides of I-5. I seriously doubt there was any real danger or hazard to the over 80,000 commuters who use this portion of I-5.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Author 3 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said: I seriously doubt there was any real danger or hazard to the over 80,000 commuters who use this portion of I-5. Yes -- only the CHP vehicle that was hit by shrapnel. From CBS News link above: This was an unusual and concerning situation," said a statement from CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. "It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them."
October 20, 2025Oct 20 35 minutes ago, JAG said: If it was an airburst, at height due to the trajectory of the shell, there will be little evidence save for some widespread fragments. The remains of the fuze itself (clockwork or radar proximity) will have continued and fallen a long way away, probably never be found. As I said all live fire was carried out on the live fire range as it has been on previous occasions.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Author 4 minutes ago, dinsdale said: As I said all live fire was carried out on the live fire range as it has been on previous occasions. CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado as noted above disagrees.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 2 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said: In this case they happen when the military for ceremonial purposes decides to fire live rounds over an active interstate freeway. Why would they do that? The plans to fire over the freeway triggered outrage by Gov. Gavin Newsom late Friday night after his office had been informed days earlier that the celebration would not involve firing munitions across Interstate 5, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/us/artillery-interstate-5-marines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU8.8TeD.r-pJZ-0R_0td&smid=url-share What else was going on in that part of the world at that time on that day? The firing exercise, which was planned to showcase the Marine Corps’s amphibious capabilities, was scheduled as millions of protesters participated in nationwide No Kings protests that the administration has repeatedly criticized. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/gavin-newsom-california-highway-trump-marine-event-b2847959.html Ha! Trump sure showed Newsom who's king!
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Author 10 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said: Ha! Trump sure showed Newsom who's king! He sure did -- from Truth Social:
October 20, 2025Oct 20 34 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said: Yes -- only the CHP vehicle that was hit by shrapnel. From CBS News link above: This was an unusual and concerning situation," said a statement from CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. "It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them." This is the shrapnell that struck the CHP vehicle. This is from a newstory from local media.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 37 minutes ago, dinsdale said: As I said all live fire was carried out on the live fire range as it has been on previous occasions. Rounds are fired to land in a safe "impact area" within the "live fire range", that target area being framed by a number of characteristics including the meterological conditions (which will have considerable influence on the trajectory of the shell) and the zone of the gun(s) being fired. That zone will vary depending on the equipment (gun), the range, charge (amount of propellant) and type of shell fired. If you wish to fire over extended ranges then you may fire from gun positions outside the training area (Outside Gun Areas). That will involve the shell flying over civilian areas during its trajectory, as happened here. In the UK, and I assume in the US, the safety rules are considerable (UK: airburst fuzed shells are not allowed to be fired from OGAs because of the risk of such an " in flight premature"). I have taken part in live firing exercises in the US and the safety rules are broadly similar. I was a Gunner - that is why, like all Gunners I am slightly mad and rather deaf - "gunnerear"!
October 20, 2025Oct 20 This is the area map from the CHP side. I do not know in which direction the Marines were firing at but the CHP vehicle was NE from the firing area.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 Popular Post It was a power play by the trump stain administration in a feeble attempt to intimidate the no kings day rally no more no less.glad no one was injured and hopefully the dog and pony show didn’t inconvenience to many people.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 1 minute ago, Tug said: It was a power play by the trump stain administration in a feeble attempt to intimidate the no kings day rally no more no less.glad no one was injured and hopefully the dog and pony show didn’t inconvenience to many people. The 250th Anniversary of the United States Mariine Corps is not a "dog and pony" show to anyone who has served in the Corps. Othes will disagree.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 1 minute ago, sqwakvfr said: The 250th Anniversary of the United States Mariine Corps is not a "dog and pony" show to anyone who has served in the Corps. Othes will disagree. Never said or implied it was but inconveniencing everyone with unnecessary live fire on the no kings day was trump stain theater pure and simple furthermore before you get all riled up you just effin remember what trump said about Jhon McCain or what that man said to general Kelley who lost a son to war….it was theater political theater pure and simple absolutely no disparaging thoughts in my post are directed at the MC
October 20, 2025Oct 20 4 minutes ago, Tug said: Never said or implied it was but inconveniencing everyone with unnecessary live fire on the no kings day was trump stain theater pure and simple furthermore before you get all riled up you just effin remember what trump said about Jhon McCain or what that man said to general Kelley who lost a son to war….it was theater political theater pure and simple absolutely no disparaging thoughts in my post are directed at the MC I never mentioned Trump, the late senator McCain or General Kelley. I just mentioned the greatness of the Marine Corps and it's proud history. The Marine Corps will survive any presidential administraion and unlike other services they do not put on "dog and pony" shows. Even the exercises this weekend have training value.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 1 minute ago, sqwakvfr said: I never mentioned Trump, the late senator McCain or General Kelley. I just mentioned the greatness of the Marine Corps and it's proud history. The Marine Corps will survive any presidential administraion and unlike other services they do not put on "dog and pony" shows. Even the exercises this weekend have training value. True and I share your admiration and respect of the core and in retrospect I wish I’d worded my post more carefully….that being said it was theater the live fire over the freeway used in a tepid attempt to intimidate.anyway if I ruffed any feathers my sincere apologies.
October 20, 2025Oct 20 3 minutes ago, Tug said: True and I share your admiration and respect of the core and in retrospect I wish I’d worded my post more carefully….that being said it was theater the live fire over the freeway used in a tepid attempt to intimidate.anyway if I ruffed any feathers my sincere apologies. It's Corps and not core. I do not know what the exact intent was because I am not privy to the operatioinal planning of any military operation.
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