The U.S. Army is still searching for four soldiers who went missing during a training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania earlier this week. Officials confirmed that the soldiers, all based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, were operating a massive armored recovery vehicle when it went underwater in a swampy area. The recovery mission has now turned into a major international effort.
Vehicle Found Submerged in Swamp
The soldiers disappeared on Tuesday while driving a M88 Hercules, a 70-ton armored recovery vehicle, as part of a scheduled military training. By Wednesday, the vehicle was found submerged under 15 feet of water and mud. According to the Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, it likely sank after driving into a swamp and may have slid diagonally to the bottom.
Rescue Now a Complex Recovery Mission
As of Friday, the U.S. Army confirmed the operation has shifted from a search and rescue mission to a complex recovery effort. The terrain in the area is extremely wet, marshy, and unstable, making it hard to use heavy equipment without first improving the site with engineering support.
Crews are working around the clock to drain water, dig through mud, and stabilize the area. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with groundwater seepage, which is slowing down the process.
Equipment and Support from Allies
To help speed up the recovery, a large number of resources have been brought in. These include:
- Slurry pumps
- Cranes
- Over 30 tons of gravel
- Subject matter experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
In addition, the Polish Armed Forces have sent 150 personnel along with tracked recovery vehicles, water pumps, and other critical equipment. A specialized U.S. Navy dive team is also expected to join the operation by Saturday.
International Unity and Determination
Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor of the U.S. Army stated, “This will be a long and difficult recovery operation, but we are absolutely committed to bringing our soldiers home.”
Lithuanian Defense Minister Sakaliene added an emotional note, saying, “Working with American soldiers has always been close to our hearts. They are not just allies — they are family to us.” The statement reflects the strong bond between Lithuania and the U.S., especially in military cooperation.
This ongoing recovery operation in Lithuania highlights the risks involved in large-scale military training exercises and the strength of international partnerships. The focus now is on safely recovering the missing soldiers and their vehicle, no matter how long or difficult it takes.
With U.S., Polish, and Lithuanian forces working together, this mission reflects deep commitment, unity, and shared values in times of crisis.