Artillery Fire Rocks the Desert Region Like an Earthquake

Twentynine Palms, CA

Residents in the desert region from Palm Springs to Yucca Valley were rocked awake last Wednesday by what many believed to be an earthquake. However, the ground shaking, nerve rattling booms were later determined to be training exercises at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. 

According to a military spokesperson, the base was conducting an Integrated Training Exercise that involved marines and sailors using heavy artillery. The military explained such training exercises use mortars, artillery, tanks, aircraft, and guns in order to train sailors and marines as if they are in live combat.