Update: Searchers recover body of U.S. Air Force pilot whose fighter jet crashed into North Sea

Searchers on Monday recovered the body of the U.S. Air Force pilot whose fighter jet crashed into the North Sea earlier in the day.

The Air Force confirmed the discovery but has yet to release the name of the pilot.

The downed jet was based at the Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath, in Suffolk, England, which hosts the U.S. 48th Fighter Wing. The base is about 80 miles northeast of London.

The crash occurred Monday morning during a routine training flight. The F-15C Eagle jet had been taking part in a four-jet formation before it crashed into the water. The incident occurred at 9:40 a.m. The cause of the crash is unknown.

A team of United Kingdom Search and Rescue officers assisted in the operation to find the pilot. 

"This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community," RAF Lakenhearth said in a tweet, "and deepest condolences go out to the pilot's family and the 4593rd Fighter Squadron."

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said earlier in the day that the aircraft had an "exceptional flight safety record."

The F-15C Eagle jet is a model that has been used by the United States Air Force since 1979.