The body of Air Force piot Yorgos Baltadoros, who crashed into the sea with his Mirage 2000-5 upon his return from an intercept mission with extensive dog fights with Turkish fighter jets over the Aegean, was retrieved today.

The crew of a fishing boat from Skyros spotted the body of the pilot and debris from the wreck at 9:30 am.

According to the mayor of Skyros, Miltos Hatzigiannakis, the fishing boat was among the vessels continuing the search mission since yesterday.

Hatzigiannakis said that the pilot did not have time react, although it is not clear how that would be determined.

Baltogiannis’ death was confirmed yesterday after the crash, when his fighter pilot helmet, survival kit, and lifesaver were found.

The fuselage of the Mirage 2000-5 is believed to have sunk to a depth of about 300 metres.