- A U.S. M88 Hercules armored vehicle was recovered from a swamp in Lithuania after a six-day search.
- Four American soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division remain missing.
- The vehicle was submerged in 4.5 meters of water and stuck in thick mud.
- Recovery efforts involved Lithuanian, U.S., and Polish military personnel.
- The U.S. Army will provide updates on the soldiers’ fate.
Recovery of Submerged Armored Vehicle
A U.S. M88 Hercules armored vehicle, which went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania, has been successfully recovered from a swamp after a six-day search. The vehicle was discovered submerged in 4.5 meters (15 feet) of water near the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, close to the Belarus border. The recovery operation, which began on Wednesday, faced significant challenges due to the swampy terrain, thick mud, and the vehicle’s 70-ton weight.
Missing Soldiers and Ongoing Search
The four American soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, who were on board the vehicle, remain missing. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed the vehicle’s recovery on Monday morning but emphasized that the fate of the soldiers is still unknown. “Until the investigators have more details, we need to stay calm and focused, and keep in mind the sensitivity of the situation and the concerns of the soldiers’ families,” Šakalienė stated in a Facebook post.
Challenges in the Recovery Operation
The recovery effort involved hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers, as well as specialized equipment, including cranes, large-capacity pumps, and over 30 tonnes of gravel. A U.S. Navy dive team also joined the operation but faced difficulties due to the dense mud and unstable ground. Brig. Gen. John Lloyd, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, described the operation as “highly complex” due to the terrain and the vehicle’s weight.
International Collaboration
The operation saw collaboration between Lithuanian, U.S., and Polish military forces. Over 200 personnel, including 55 engineers from the Polish Armed Forces, were involved in the recovery efforts. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys expressed gratitude for the international support, stating, “The signals we’ve been receiving are those of gratitude for the support we’re providing and how we’re organising the rescue efforts.”
Next Steps and Investigation
With the vehicle now recovered, Lithuanian Military Police and U.S. investigators are continuing their work at the scene. Šakalienė assured that the U.S. Army will be the first to provide updates on the soldiers’ fate. “This tragic situation weighs heavily on all of us,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division. “We want everyone to know, we will not stop until our Soldiers are found.”