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Body of missing Aviano pilot found in Adriatic Sea
By MATT MILLHAM
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 31, 2013
The body of an Air Force F-16 pilot who went missing during a night training flight late Monday was found Thursday off the coast of Italy, his family announced in a statement.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that the body of Captain Lucas Gruenther was found in the Adriatic Sea this afternoon,” the statement said.
Gruenther and his F-16 Fighting Falcon went missing about 8 p.m. Monday roughly 150 miles south of Aviano Air Base, where his unit, the 31st Fighter Wing, is stationed.
A massive search effort ensued, including Italian coast guard and navy ships, fishing vessels and an assortment of planes, including other F-16s from the wing.
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Missing Pilot's Family Confident of Safe Return
Jan 31, 2013
The Modesto Bee
by Patty Guerra
TWAIN HARTE, Calif. -- The Air Force on Wednesday launched several F-16 fighters to help in the search for a pilot from Twain Harte whose plane disappeared over the Adriatic Sea near Italy on Monday. Family members expressed optimism that Capt. Lucas Gruenther will be found safely.
The fighter jets will help several other U.S. and Italian aircraft already involved in the search for Gruenther, chief of flight safety for the 31st Fighter Wing. Gruenther, who is stationed in Italy, was conducting a nighttime training sortie when the Air Force lost contact with his aircraft.
"If anyone could survive something like this, it would be Luc," Cassy Gruenther said of her husband in a news release provided by the military. She described her husband as a "self-reliant outdoorsmen who would sleep every night under the stars if he could" and said he's in excellent physical shape.
Search teams on Tuesday recovered debris believed to be from Gruenther's F-16 Fighting Falcon. On Wednesday, family members said searchers located Gruenther's drogue parachute and his helmet.
"The drogue chute is a good sign," said Cassy, who will deliver the couple's first child, a girl to be named Serene, in a few weeks. "It means he ejected, and we've been told the helmet is in good condition."
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