By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force is searching the Adriatic Sea after losing contact with a U.S. fighter jet during a training mission off the coast of Italy.

The headquarters of the 31st Fighter Wing, at Aviano Air Base in Italy, issued a brief statement saying the F-16 fighter had one pilot aboard when contact was lost Monday evening.

There was no immediate word on the fate of the plane or the pilot.

Initial word was that the F-16 was not carrying weapons.