A civilian carrying a lit flare attempted to board a Marine Corps helicopter stationed at Camp Pendleton last week, federal prosecutors in San Diego revealed. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on a landing pad with its rotors running and crew members inside.

According to Military.com, the event took place on Thursday night and marked the fourth time since 2022 that the 58-year-old man had allegedly trespassed on the military base. Despite previous trespassing incidents, he had not been charged until now, facing a misdemeanor charge for unlawfully entering a military installation.

Court documents indicate the man claimed the State Department had sent "radio waves" to his head, instructing him to light the flare and approach the helicopter. The statement was documented by a Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division agent. His attorney has not provided any public comment on the case.

Helicopter crew's swift response

The incident unfolded around 10 p.m. as two helicopter crews were conducting training exercises near a remote landing pad west of Interstate 5, overlooking the ocean. One helicopter was on the ground with its rotors running, while another hovered nearby at low altitude.

A crew member from the hovering helicopter noticed the man approaching the grounded aircraft, alerting others to his presence. The man came within feet of the helicopter, attempting to board it, but crew members directed him to leave. The helicopter took off once he was at a safe distance.

Marine Corps law enforcement officers quickly arrived at the scene, locating the man and two used flares nearby. He was arrested shortly afterward, according to the court documents.

History of repeated trespassing

Military records show the man had trespassed on Camp Pendleton three times before, in September 2022, September 2023, and May 2025. Despite these incidents, he had not faced criminal charges until now.

During his most recent arrest, agents reportedly discovered a U.S. District Court summons in his possession, linked to a trespassing citation from the May incident.

The man remains in federal custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for later this week. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, he could face up to six months in prison.

Broader implications of security breaches

This incident raises concerns about security measures at military installations, particularly in light of repeated breaches by the same individual. While no injuries or damage occurred, the situation highlights potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited under different circumstances.

Last week, a separate case involved a San Diego man pleading guilty to landing his small airplane twice on San Clemente Island without Navy approval.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are seeking a six-month prison sentence in that case, underscoring the legal consequences of unauthorized access to military-controlled areas.

Legal proceedings and next steps

The arrested man’s actions and subsequent claims about "radio waves" influencing his behavior add a complex layer to the case.

Federal prosecutors are expected to argue for stricter enforcement of trespassing laws to deter similar incidents in the future.

As the detention hearing approaches, the case continues to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding military operations and personnel. The outcome could set a precedent for handling repeated trespassing offenses on high-security installations.