Recovery Efforts Underway for Missing U.S. Troops in Lithuania Training Accident

Recovery teams are tirelessly engaged in efforts to locate four U.S. soldiers who went missing after their Hercules armored vehicle was discovered submerged at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Lithuania.

The soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were engaged in a maintenance mission on Tuesday when they went missing. The U.S. Army Europe and Africa reported that the accident occurred while trying to recover another Army vehicle during a training exercise.

Since then, a significant search and recovery operation has been in progress. U.S. and Lithuanian troops, along with military helicopters and specialized divers, have thoroughly searched the forested and swampy terrain in an effort to find the missing soldiers.

On Wednesday, personnel discovered the submerged vehicle, redirecting the operation’s emphasis to stabilizing the area for recovery efforts. Nevertheless, the presence of thick mud and soft ground has complicated access. Engineers are building berms and utilizing water pumps to drain the area, enabling rescue teams to safely access the vehicle.

“This is a highly intricate engineering endeavor,” stated Maj. Robin Bruce, 1st Armored Division Engineer. “The team is diligently examining all possibilities to expedite this process.”

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor highlighted that “every available U.S. and Lithuanian asset” is being utilized to find and recover the soldiers.

The identities of the missing soldiers remain undisclosed, yet their families are receiving regular updates.

In the meantime, NATO provided clarification on comments made by Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who had initially indicated that the soldiers had lost their lives. The U.S. Army asserts its status is still unclear, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.

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