A press release from 3rd MAW indicates that two F-18 Hornet jets collided mid-air while flying offshore during a training mission at 11:43 am PST. One pilot is said to have ejected safely and they are still searching the water near San Diego. The other pilot was able to land safely at the Naval Air Station North Island, CA. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.

Fighter Sweep reported on the multiple crashes the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing has had this year.

 The Marine Corps, and particularly 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, have had a rash of aircraft mishaps in 2016. In August, a Marine F/A-18C Hornet crashed five miles east of Naval Air Station Fallon, located approximately 60 miles east of Carson City, during a functional check flight. The pilot was able to eject safely.

In July, a F/A-18C Hornet from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Twentynine Palms, CA killing the pilot Maj. Sterling Norton. Both of the aircraft in those crashes were from Marine Fighter Squadron VMFA-232.

Featured image courtesy of Boeing.