A live-fire beach assault that will include amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and Navy ships to commemorate the Marines’ 250th anniversary on Saturday at Camp Pendleton will be conducted off one of the base’s many training ranges and not cause road closures, Marine officials said.
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The mock assault dubbed: America’s Marines 250: From Sea to Shore – A Review of Amphibious Strength.– which will be held in conjunction with a program expected to include comments from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John C. Phelan and Gen. Eric Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps — will be held off Red Beach, which lies on the coastal side of the 5 Freeway.
Comments Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom on X: “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” caused public concern, with some media outlets reporting that a possible closure of the busy 5 Freeway is being considered for parts of Orange and San Diego counties from Friday to Saturday.
“All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comply with established safety protocols,” Lt. Col. Lindsay Pirek, a spokesperson for the I Marine Expeditionary Force overseeing the planning, said late Wednesday. “No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”
“In advance of the training event and demonstration, we conducted a detailed risk assessment,” she added. “All participants will be briefed, medical, fire, and emergency assets will be on site, and multiple rehearsals will be conducted. All air, surface, and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.”
Metrolink, however, will not be operating some of its trains that cross the base on Saturday.
“Only OC Line train 1668, the final southbound train of the day, is anticipated to complete its normal route from LA Union Station to Oceanside,” the agency said in a press release.
A request for comment on the situation was placed with the offices of Newsom and Caltrans.
Following the live-fire demonstration, a community Beach Bash will take place at Del Mar Beach, where thousands of military personnel, families, and guests are expected to gather.
“The force training activities planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our nation’s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges today and in the years ahead,” Pirek said. “The capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land, and sea.”
The White House Production Office will capture the Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration for inclusion in a national primetime broadcast on Nov. 9, ensuring Marine Corps contributions to America’s 250th birthday are highlighted for audiences across the nation.