Body of missing pilot recovered in Adriatic

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY -- The body of the fighter pilot who went missing during a training mission over the Adriatic Sea Jan. 28 was recovered early this afternoon by an Italian vessel.

Capt. Lucas Gruenther, 31st Fighter Wing chief of flight safety, was conducting a nighttime training sortie when contact was lost with his F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Captain Gruenther was an outstanding officer who epitomized what it means to be an Airman," said Brig. Gen. Scott J. Zobrist, 31st FW commander. "He was not only a first-rate pilot; he was an exceptional leader whose presence will be sorely missed.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gruenther family during this difficult time," added the general. "Words cannot adequately express how sorry we are for your loss."

Gruenther was an Air Force Academy graduate and flew numerous combat sorties during a six month deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.

A board of officers will investigate the incident.