Three U.S. Soldiers Found Deceased After Training Exercise Incident in Lithuania, One Still Missing

Three U.S. soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania have been found deceased, according to a statement released by the U.S. Army on Monday. The soldiers were part of a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog on March 25. The incident occurred as part of a broader training operation involving the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

The search for the soldiers began immediately after they were reported missing last Tuesday. The submerged armored vehicle was located by the Army and Lithuanian authorities on Wednesday. Despite the recovery of the vehicle, the soldiers remained unaccounted for until their bodies were discovered almost a week later. The Army has not yet released the identities of the soldiers, as they are in the process of notifying the families.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda extended his condolences to the families of the soldiers and expressed solidarity with the U.S. military community. The incident underscores the risks associated with military training exercises, which are designed to prepare soldiers for a variety of challenging and potentially hazardous situations.

The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Public Affairs Office is coordinating with Lithuanian authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The search continues for one soldier who remains missing. The Army emphasized its commitment to supporting the families of the soldiers during this difficult time and ensuring a thorough investigation is conducted.