( CNN ) -- The body of an Air Force pilot has been found off the coast of Italy , three days after the F-16 he was flying went missing , his family announced Thursday . Read more : U.S. jet missing off Italy ; search for pilot under way . `` It is with great sadness that we announce that the body Capt . Lucas Gruenther was found in the Adriatic Sea this afternoon . A compassionate husband , a loving son , and a devoted brother ; Luc leaves behind a family who loves him dearly and a legacy of achievement , '' the family statement said . Controllers lost contact with the F-16 around 8 p.m. Monday ( 2 p.m . ET ) while the jet was on a training flight , the U.S. Air Force reported . Italian search teams found debris believed to be from the fighter jet Tuesday . The aircraft was based at Aviano Air Base , a key NATO installation in northern Italy .
NEW : The body of the jet pilot has been found . The F-16 pilot went missing yesterday over the Mediterranean Sea . Debris from the jet was discovered Wednesday .