The body of a fourth soldier missing in Lithuania has been found, concluding a week-long search effort involving multiple nations.
Fourth Missing US Soldier Discovered in Lithuania's Bog
Fourth Missing US Soldier Discovered in Lithuania's Bog
The recovery operation concludes with the discovery of the fourth soldier's body, a week after their disappearance during drills.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the body of a fourth US soldier was located in Lithuania, a week after he, along with three others, went missing during military exercises. The unit had been conducting drills in a large M88A2 Hercules armored vehicle near Pabrade when the incident occurred. Earlier, the bodies of the other three soldiers and the vehicle itself were discovered submerged in a peat bog on Monday.
The grueling search and recovery efforts mobilized hundreds of rescue personnel from various military branches, including the US Army and Navy, as well as forces from Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia. "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain... the world is darker without them," expressed Maj Gen Christopher Norrie, speaking on behalf of US Army Europe and Africa.
Describing the incident as a "tragic accident," Lt Gen Charles Costanza commended the collaborative efforts of the recovery team, which spanned different commands and nations. The US Army has initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this calamity. The statement did not disclose the location where the final soldier's body was found, but emphasized that the military unit had been operating close to the Belarus border.
The M88A2 Hercules is a significant military asset designed for the recovery of damaged tanks and other vehicles from combat zones. The recovery operation involved the deployment of two additional Hercules vehicles and bulldozers to extract the submerged vehicle from the swamp, with teams working tirelessly "day and night" to complete the recovery.
The identities of the fallen soldiers have not been released, as they were deployed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission established in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The grueling search and recovery efforts mobilized hundreds of rescue personnel from various military branches, including the US Army and Navy, as well as forces from Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia. "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain... the world is darker without them," expressed Maj Gen Christopher Norrie, speaking on behalf of US Army Europe and Africa.
Describing the incident as a "tragic accident," Lt Gen Charles Costanza commended the collaborative efforts of the recovery team, which spanned different commands and nations. The US Army has initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this calamity. The statement did not disclose the location where the final soldier's body was found, but emphasized that the military unit had been operating close to the Belarus border.
The M88A2 Hercules is a significant military asset designed for the recovery of damaged tanks and other vehicles from combat zones. The recovery operation involved the deployment of two additional Hercules vehicles and bulldozers to extract the submerged vehicle from the swamp, with teams working tirelessly "day and night" to complete the recovery.
The identities of the fallen soldiers have not been released, as they were deployed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission established in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
