Body of Air Force Academy grad, Captain Lucas Gruenther, found in the Adriatic Sea after F-16 crash
Gruenther graduated from AFA in 2003
Air Force Capt. Lucas Gruenther, a 2003 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
(Photo courtesy: U.S. Air Force Academy)
None
Posted: 01/31/2013
Last Updated:
113 days ago
The body of an Air Force Academy graduate was found in the Adriatic Sea on Wednesday.
Captain Lucas Gruenther went missing when his F-16 disappeared during a night training flight over the Adriatic Sea on Monday.
Gruenther, 32, was flying as part of a four-jet formation when contact was lost with his aircraft, according to the Air Force Times. The Italian news agency Ansa reported that the aircraft had reported a problem with the last radio contact.
"A compassionate husband, a loving son, and a devoted brother; Luc leaves behind a family who loves him dearly and a legacy of achievement," his family said in a statement sent to ABC News. "We will never fully recover from our loss, but take heart in the knowledge that during his all-too-short time in this world, he made a significant difference in the lives of all whom he met."
Gruenther graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 2003.
Before being assigned to Aviano Air Base, Gruenther was an instructor pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
He and his wife Cassy are expecting their first child in two to three weeks, the Modesto Bee reported.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PRINT
