Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Camp Pendleton on Saturday to witness an amphibious assault demonstration as part of a celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Navy and the upcoming birthday of the Marines. The Navy celebrated its milestone on Monday, while the Marine Corps will commemorate its 248th birthday on November 10.
The event will feature remarks from prominent military officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Marine Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith, though it remains unclear if they will attend in person.
Vance, notably the first Marine veteran to hold the vice presidency, is overseeing the program. His connection to the area is personal; his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, has roots in suburban San Diego, where her parents have made significant contributions to academia and science.
Camp Pendleton, which is the largest Marine installation on the West Coast, plays a significant role in military operations, typically serving as a launch point for rapid-response forces primarily deployed by sea, supported by the Navy. The 1st Marine Division, based at Pendleton, is historically renowned, having executed pivotal amphibious assaults, such as the Inchon landing during the Korean War.
While specific details regarding the ships involved in Saturday’s exercise are yet to be announced, it is anticipated that elements from the USS Boxer amphibious ready group, currently engaged in training, will play a crucial role.
This demonstration follows the recent abandonment of plans by the Trump administration to host a major air and sea event in San Diego Bay, which would have included the Blue Angels and a variety of local naval vessels. The administration did not provide a reason for this decision, but the upcoming demonstration promises to highlight the ongoing commitment of the military to showcase its capabilities and engage with the public in meaningful ways.