Four US Troops lost
Four US troops went missing during training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area near Pabrade, north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania. The soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry division, were sent to recover another Army vehicle early Tuesday.
U.S. and Lithuanian personnel were still working Thursday to recover four missing U.S. soldiers whose Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged in a body of water at a training site in Lithuania on Wednesday, officials said. Military Times
Their vehicle drove onto a peat bog and was found submerged 16 feet under water. A massive search ensued.
The U.S. Army said in a statement Thursday that the “search and recovery” for the soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, was ongoing. The initial search involved hundreds of U.S. and Lithuanian soldiers and law enforcement that scoured the area’s thick forests and swampy terrain, according to the statement, as well as as Lithuanian military helicopters and diving teams.
The recovery effort, which have been underway for the last 48 hours, has required specialized equipment to pump water and mud from the site and stabilize the soft ground of the surrounding area, which will allow it to support the heavy equipment needed to recover the vehicle.
“Due to the terrain, this is an incredibly complex engineering effort,” said Maj. Robin Bruce, 1st Armored Division Engineer. “The team is exploring every available option to speed up this process.”
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas expressed support for the rescue operation Thursday after visiting the training ground near the town of Pabrad?, about 30 miles south of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, and 6 miles from the border with Belarus.
“Our thoughts & prayers are with their families and brothers in arms,” he said in a post on X.
He was joined at the scene by Defense Minister Dovil? Šakalien?, who said she was “deeply saddened” by the soldiers’ disappearance. NBC News
Apparently there was some confusion at higher levels, as on Wednesday NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported that the soldiers were dead when the Army was still classifying them as missing, and Wednesday evening President Trump told reporters he had not been briefed on their situation.
Same old sad story – simply training for one of the world’s most dangerous jobs is all too frequently dangerous, too.
Hat tip to Jeff LPH for this one.
Category: Army News, No Longer Missing, None, Training Incidents
Sadly that is area is known for marshes and swamps that can swallow entire armies; such as the Pripet. Best we can do is pray for them and their families.
(slow salute)
RIP gentlemen
God needs fresh troops too.
See ya at The Eternal Parade Ground.
Pass the damned kleenex box. Damned dusty here. Allergies too.
There was hope that they’d be found alive.
Until there wasn’t.
I hope that their respective families find peace and solace.
May they find rest and refreshment at Fidler’s Green.
“Same old sad story – simply training for one of the world’s most dangerous jobs is all too frequently dangerous, too”
If you served, you probably know of such an incident. lets never forget their sacrifice.
SK3 Roy Carmichael: He lost his life when a CO2 fire suppression system flooded the closed space where he was working.
Taps: 4 Jan 1987 Atlantic Ocean
My dad very nearly got boiled alive on the Big E when a catapult failure caused a steam leak. Very much a “Drop everything and GTFO” moment.
Sad.
Thoughts to their friends and families.
RIP troops
I imagine the bogs over there are similar/identical to the muskeg we have.
It’s like trying to walk on mashed potatoes.
I had to abort a hunting trip because my buddy got stuck knee deep in it. I helped pull him out with my rifle sling.
Unfortunately, the muskeg claimed both his boots so he a very uncomfortable hike back to the truck.
Three have been discovered deceased.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/army-confirms-3-4-missing-soldiers-lithuania-dead
Slow salute.