A U.S. Air Force pilot was found dead after an F-15C Eagle crashed off England’s coast in the North Sea.
The United Kingdom’s Coastguard found the body of the pilot and jet’s wreckage on Monday crashed more than 70 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I confirm the pilot of the downed F-15C Eagle has been located and confirmed deceased,” said Col. William Marshall, commander of 48th Fighter Wing. “This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot’s family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron.”
The identity of the pilot will not be released until immediate family members are notified.
A statement from the Royal Air Force Lakenheath said the pilot was conducting a routine training mission with the aircraft.
“A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 0940 today in the North Sea. The aircraft was from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board,” said Royal Air Force Lakenheath in a statement.
Earlier, Marshall said they “remain hopeful that our liberty wing airman will be located and recovered.”
Hours before the crash, RAF Lakenheath tweeted a photograph of jets with the caption, “Ready to take on Monday like… #WeAreLiberty! #ReadyAF.”
Ready to take on Monday like…#WeAreLiberty! #ReadyAF pic.twitter.com/QrwCrHp5bv
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
More than 4,000 U.S. service members are stationed at RAF Lakenheath. It is the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England.
