A U.S. fighter jet crashed during a training mission off the coast of England on Monday, killing the pilot whose body was found after a search operation, officials said.
The F-15C Eagle crashed into the North Sea after taking off from RAF Lakenheath, the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England, around 70 miles northeast of London.
The cause of the crash remains unknown and the pilot is not being identified until their next of kin is informed, according to Col. Will Marshall, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, which is based at Lakenheath.
Calling the incident "a tragic loss," Marshall said that "our deepest condolences go out to the pilot's family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron."
According to the RAF Lakenheath website, aircraft based there have played counter-terrorism roles across the Middle East since September 11, 2001.