Air Force Academy funeral Friday for F-16 pilot

The Air Force Academy plans to hold a funeral service Friday for an Air Force pilot who died after a training mission over the Adriatic Sea.

The body of Maj. Lucas F. Gruenther was recovered on Jan. 31, a few days after his F-16 fighter jet disappeared during a mission.

Gruenther was part of the academy’s graduating class of 2003. A memorial service was held for him earlier this year in Italy.

Gruenther was assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano Air Base in Italy. The California native is survived by his wife, Cassy, and daughter, Serene.

He was posthumously promoted to major.