The U.S. military has provided information on the unfortunate incident that occurred near a San Diego base involving a Marine Corps pilot during a routine training flight. The pilot, identified as Maj. Andrew Mettler, tragically lost his life when the combat jet, an F/A-18D Hornet, crashed at 11:54 p.m. on Thursday close to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered in Cherry Point, North Carolina, released a statement confirming these details. The crash site has been secured, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. Maj. Mettler, affectionately known as "Simple Jack," hailed from Georgia and was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. He was highly regarded within his squadron, the Fighting Bengals, where he served as a distinguished leader. Maj. Gen. Scott Benedict, the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, reminisced about Maj. Mettler's impressive skills as a pilot and his memorable wry smile. Maj. Mettler, who had been selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel, leaves behind a remarkable legacy and will be deeply missed by his fellow Marines, Sailors, and civilians alike. His decorated career includes numerous awards and honors recognizing his significant contributions. The crash site, situated on government property east of the air station, is currently being examined. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar houses a large military population, including over 12,000 Marines, sailors, and civilians. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the risks associated with military service, and our thoughts go out to Maj. Mettler's family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.