California Interstate Closed for Military Exercises

A major California highway shut down Saturday as Marines fired live ammunition overhead during a massive military demonstration celebrating the Corps' 250th anniversary. Vice President JD Vance attended the event, which caused hours of traffic jams along a key route connecting Los Angeles and San Diego.

The Marines closed a 27-kilometer stretch of the highway for their anniversary celebration. The timing created significant disruption for weekend travelers on one of California's busiest corridors.

The demonstration was extensive. Fighter jets flew overhead while amphibious ships operated nearby. Marines conducted explosions in a mock village and dropped troops into the Pacific Ocean using helicopters. The live-fire exercise required the highway closure for safety reasons.

This type of large-scale military display is rare on civilian infrastructure. The Marines chose this location to showcase their capabilities to both military leadership and the public. But the event highlighted the tension between military operations and civilian life in densely populated areas.

The 250th anniversary marks a significant milestone for the Marine Corps, which was established in 1775. The service wanted a memorable celebration that would demonstrate their current readiness and capabilities to senior government officials like Vance.

Highway closures for military exercises typically happen in remote areas or on military bases. Using a major civilian route shows how the Marines prioritized visibility for this anniversary event, even at the cost of public inconvenience.