Air Force identifies missing F-16 pilot

January 29, 2013 @ 5:24 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Air Force has identified the pilot of an F-16 fighter jet that went missing Monday on a training mission over the Adriatic Sea.

It said he is Capt. Lucas Gruenther of the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

The Air Force said Italian rescue teams recovered debris from the Adriatic that is believed to belong to Gruenther's F-16, but he remains missing.

The search is continuing.

Spokesman Master Sgt. Michael O'Connor at the 31st Fighter Wing declined to release Gruenther's age and hometown. The Modesto (Calif.) Bee newspaper has reported Gruenther is from Twain Harte, Calif.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More National News
Top Stories
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments