At Camp Pendleton in Southern California, the U.S. Marine Corps planned a live-fire training exercise for Saturday. This was not a typical drill, as it involved firing powerful weapons near a major public area. The goal was to provide realistic training for soldiers while managing the risks.
The exercise required Marines to fire M777 howitzers, a type of heavy artillery. The plan was for the shells to travel over Interstate 5, one of the busiest highways in the country. This unusual step was necessary for the soldiers to use a specific long-distance training range on the large base.
To prepare, officials conducted a test run on Friday. This rehearsal was crucial for checking the flight path of the shells and confirming all safety procedures. The military needed to be absolutely certain that the public would not be in any danger during the main event.
Marine Corps officials announced that the freeway would remain open during the training. They wanted to ensure public safety without causing a major disruption to traffic. By communicating the plan, they hoped to prevent public alarm about the loud noises and the sight of military operations so close to a civilian area.