In a somber update from the US Army, it has been confirmed that three of the four missing US soldiers in Lithuania have been found deceased. This tragic news follows extensive search and recovery efforts that led to the discovery of their armored vehicle in a peat bog. The search for the fourth soldier continues as authorities work tirelessly to locate them.
The Lithuanian authorities were notified on Tuesday that the soldiers had gone missing during a tactical training exercise in the expansive training ground located in the eastern city of Pabradė, close to the Belarus border. According to the US Army, the soldiers and their vehicle were reported missing after they failed to return from the exercise.
Major General Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, expressed heartfelt condolences, stating, “We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary ‘dogface soldiers’ during this unimaginable time.” He emphasized that the search would not conclude until every soldier is accounted for, thanking the dedicated personnel involved in the extensive search and recovery operations.
The bodies of the three soldiers were recovered after a massive six-day effort that included collaboration between US, Polish, and Lithuanian armed forces. The recovery operation focused on extracting the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle from the challenging conditions of the peat bog. Heavy equipment and excavators were utilized to remove layers of silt and water, culminating in the vehicle's retrieval early on Monday.
According to a statement from US Army Europe and Africa’s public affairs office, “Three US army soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31.” The identities of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.
The recovery mission saw the involvement of hundreds of local and foreign troops, rescue workers, engineers, and divers. The Lithuanian armed forces contributed military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and skilled search-and-rescue personnel. In addition, they deployed excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, and brought in several hundred tonnes of gravel to assist in the recovery process.
US Navy divers faced significant challenges, navigating through thick layers of mud, clay, and sediment with zero visibility to locate the 63-tonne vehicle. They successfully identified two attachment points for steel cables on Sunday evening, which were critical for the recovery effort. However, as the vehicle was being pulled out, it began to lose traction, necessitating the use of additional heavy bulldozers to ensure a successful extraction.
After approximately two hours, the vehicle was finally freed from the bog. Meanwhile, the US Navy dive team continues to search the area using radar technology in hopes of locating the missing fourth soldier.
Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, praised the “heroic efforts” of all those involved in the search and recovery operations. As investigations into the incident commence, both the US Army and Lithuanian authorities are committed to uncovering the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
As a member of both NATO and the EU, Lithuania hosts over 1,000 US troops stationed on a rotational basis, underscoring the alliance and military cooperation between the two nations.
