Update, March 31, 2025: WIESBADEN, Germany — In a tragic update to our ongoing coverage of the missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania, military officials have confirmed the recovery of three bodies from inside their military vehicle. The search continues for a fourth soldier, who remains unaccounted for following the incident. The vehicle was found submerged in a muddy bog near the training area where the soldiers were last reported active. Efforts to locate the missing soldier are intensifying, with local authorities and military personnel expanding the search area. This incident has cast a somber shadow over operations in the region, prompting a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to this tragic event. More details will be provided as they become available.
Update March 28, 2025: WIESBADEN, Germany — U.S. Army and Lithuanian officials have intensified efforts over the past 24 hours to recover four missing U.S. Army soldiers and a M88 Hercules tank from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Authorities have deployed a large-capacity slurry pump, cranes, over 30 tons of gravel, and specialists from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to access the submerged tank. The Polish Armed Forces have also contributed a unit of military engineers, additional water pumps, tracked recovery vehicles, and other necessary equipment and supplies, along with 150 personnel.
The tank was located 15 feet underwater in mud at the Pabradė Training Area in Lithuania on March 26. For the past 72 hours, recovery teams comprised of U.S. Army soldiers, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other local authorities and contractors have worked nonstop to drain water and remove mud surrounding the tank for extraction. The operation is complicated by the marshy terrain, which is unsupportive of the heavy equipment needed to retrieve the 70-ton vehicle. Efforts to drain the area have been hampered by groundwater seepage.
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UPDATE March 27, 2025: WIESBADEN, Germany—The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the four missing U.S. Soldiers were operating during a training exercise was located in Lithuania. The vehicle was submerged in a body of water in a training area after a search by the U.S. Army, Lithuanian armed forces, and other Lithuanian authorities. Recovery efforts are underway by the U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and civilian agencies.
The Soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident.
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WIESBADEN, Germany — The U.S. Army has reported that four of its soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division are currently missing in a training area near Pabradė, Lithuania. The soldiers were engaged in scheduled tactical training when they were reported missing. An extensive search and recovery operation is currently being conducted in collaboration with the Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and other agencies.
The U.S. Army is closely coordinating with local authorities and military units to locate the missing soldiers and ensure their safe return. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
