Local authorities have recovered the bodies of three US Army soldiers who went missing at a training exercise in Lithuania on March 25. One soldier remains missing.
“The Soldiers, whose identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, went missing in the early morning hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle,” US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) said in a press release on Monday.
“Search and recovery operations continue for the remaining fourth Soldier,” it added.
On March 25, four US soldiers inside an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle went missing during a tactical training exercise at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Belarus.
Two days later, the vehicle was identified buried more than 16 feet (4.9 meters) below ground at a peat bog, where it was finally extracted earlier on Monday, March 31, six days after the accident.
All four soldiers served in the US Army’s 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The USAREUR-AF said the soldiers were deployed to Lithuania to support Operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at deterring potential Russian aggression against NATO, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Hundreds of service members from the US Army, US Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Polish Armed Forces, alongside other elements from the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies, took part in the six-day-long rescue operation, the USAREUR-AF said.
“The Raider Brigade is incredibly appreciative of all the support we received from our Lithuanian and Polish Allies, and our brothers and sisters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force who contributed to helping us recover our Soldiers,” Col. James Armstrong, commander of the US Army’s 1st Armored Brigade, said in a statement, according to the press release.
“We will never forget the dedication, commitment and teamwork that enabled us to recover our Soldiers and provide closure for their families. We are truly stronger together,” he added.
In a message addressed to US President Donald Trump, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda also mourned the losses on X.
“@realDonaldTrump, 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. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with you,” Nausėda said.
The cause of the incident remains unclear at the time of publication.