The U.S. Marine Corps identified the pilot killed in last week's helicopter crash in the California desert as Maj. Tyler R. Braconi, a 35-year-old California native and decorated Marine aviator based at Camp Pendleton.

Maj. Tyler Braconi had more than a decade of service in the Marines as a helicopter pilot. He died in a crash in the California desert.

The US Marine Corps is no stranger to firing live ordnance as part training, but it had been years — more than 70, according to one US official — since Marines had fired artillery over a stretch of the I-5 interstate in California like they did last weekend during the Corps’ 250th birthday celebration.

Maj. Tyler R. Braconi was killed in an AH-1Z Viper crash in Southern California on Thursday. A second, unidentified Marine was injured in the crash.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom lashed out at the Trump administration before the event, saying it was dangerous to fire live rounds over a highway.

A U.S. Marine Corps pilot based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was killed and another was injured after their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Imperial County on Thursday, military officials said Friday.

Vice President JD Vance celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps on Saturday at a California event that drew some pushback from Gov. Gavin Newsom over a live artillery demonstration.

Marine pilot Tyler Braconi, 35, died after the two-seat helicopter crashed while flying as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course.

Braconi became a decorated officer after joining the Marine Corps in 2012. He attained the rank of major in 2022 and received a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Vice President JD Vance rang in the Marine Corps’ 250th at Camp Pendleton, praising fellow Marines after an assault demo and pledging they are ready to fight and win.