The search for four U.S. Army soldiers in Lithuania has transitioned to a recovery mission, according to Lithuania’s Minister of Defense, Dovile Sakaliene. The soldiers, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, went missing on Tuesday (March 25) during a training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania. Their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was found submerged in water on Wednesday (March 26). The vehicle is believed to have sunk into a swamp, possibly reaching five meters below the surface.
Hundreds of personnel, including American and Lithuanian forces, are involved in the recovery efforts, which are complicated by the swampy terrain and a high-pressure gas pipeline running beneath the area. Sakaliene described the ongoing operation as involving “a mix of muddy water and sludge,” with divers and excavation machines working tirelessly to retrieve the vehicle and search for the soldiers.
The U.S. Army’s Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor emphasized the commitment to finding the soldiers, stating, “This tragic situation weighs heavily on all of us.” The operation has involved cooperation between the U.S. and Lithuanian military, law enforcement, and civilian agencies, with support from Poland’s defense ministry.
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Eastern Europe, including Lithuania, since 2014 as part of “Atlantic Resolve,” following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Lithuania hosts American troops on a rotational basis, with Camp Herkus in Pabradė accommodating up to 1,000 soldiers.
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