A devastating incident involving U.S. military personnel unfolded near Pabradė, Lithuania, as search and recovery teams worked tirelessly to locate four missing soldiers.
According to Fox News, three U.S. Army soldiers were confirmed deceased on Monday after their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was retrieved from a peat bog where it had sunk during a mission last week.
The soldiers, who were assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, disappeared in the early hours of March 25 while attempting to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. The recovery operation spanned six days and required extensive resources from both U.S. and Lithuanian forces.
Massive international recovery effort unfolds
The complex recovery operation demanded tremendous coordination between multiple military forces and civilian agencies. Lithuanian armed forces deployed military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and search and rescue personnel immediately after the incident.
Heavy construction equipment, including excavators and slurry pumps, was brought to the scene along with several hundred tons of gravel and earth to enable the recovery. U.S. Navy divers from Commander, Task Force 68 played a crucial role in locating and accessing two hoist points through thick layers of mud and sediment with zero visibility.
The 63-ton vehicle presented significant engineering challenges, requiring the combined efforts of multiple M88A2 Hercules vehicles and dozers to complete the extraction. The operation concluded early Monday morning at 4:40 a.m. when the armored vehicle was finally pulled ashore.
International community mourns fallen soldiers
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his nation's grief in a message to President Trump. He stated:
It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the tragic loss of three U.S. soldiers during a US-led training exercise in Lithuania. Lithuania mourns together with the American nation. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, as well as those of the Lithuanian people, to you, the loved ones of those who lost their lives, and all the people of the United States of America.
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll emphasized the ongoing commitment to locate the fourth missing soldier. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, offered emotional words about the loss:
The soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just soldiers – they were a part of our family. Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home.
Operation Atlantic Resolve deployment details
The soldiers were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, but had been deployed to Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The M88 recovery vehicle was discovered submerged approximately four meters below the water's surface and encased in two meters of mud the day after the incident.
Lithuanian Military Police and U.S. investigators continue their work at the scene. The cause of the accident remains under investigation as authorities work to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome.
The identities of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin. Military officials have emphasized the thorough nature of the ongoing investigation.
Final moments of recovery mission
Three brave U.S. Army soldiers lost their lives during a vehicle recovery mission near Pabradė, Lithuania, when their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle sank in a peat bog. The incident occurred while the troops, deployed from Fort Stewart, Georgia, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, were attempting to assist with a disabled tactical vehicle.
The massive recovery operation involved hundreds of service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and Polish Armed Forces, showcasing the strong alliance between these nations. As the investigation continues, search efforts persist for the fourth missing soldier, with military leaders vowing not to rest until all service members are accounted for.
