A specialized U.S. Navy dive team and Polish engineers have joined the recovery operation for four U.S. soldiers missing in Lithuania during a training exercise. The soldiers went missing near Pabradė, Lithuania, and the recovery efforts are focused on an armored vehicle, the M88A2 Hercules, which was found submerged under approximately 15 feet of water on March 26.
- U.S. Navy dive team joins recovery operation.
- Four soldiers missing during training exercise.
- M88A2 Hercules vehicle found submerged.
- Recovery efforts involve specialized equipment.
- Polish engineers assist with recovery operations.
- Operation aims to find missing soldiers.
Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, stated, “We are going to use every resource available from all our countries to find our missing soldiers.” Recovery operations will involve removing water and mud from the site and preparing for dive operations.
The missing soldiers were part of a training exercise near Lithuania’s border with Belarus. The U.S. Army reported that the M88A2 Hercules, a 70-ton armored recovery vehicle, was found submerged in a boggy area connected to a nearby lake. The recovery operation is expected to be challenging due to the difficult terrain.
To assist in the recovery, specialized divers from the U.S. Navy’s Commander Task Force 68 have arrived from Rota, Spain. Their mission includes locating lift points on the submerged vehicle and utilizing advanced equipment to navigate the environment. The team is equipped with a Defender submersible remotely operated vehicle and an Artemis Handheld Sonar to assess the situation underwater.
In addition to the U.S. Navy divers, 55 Polish engineers and recovery experts are on-site, bringing various resources, including 13 vehicles and specialized recovery equipment. The collaborative effort emphasizes the commitment to locate and recover the missing soldiers, with Maj. Gen. Taylor affirming, “We will not rest until our Soldiers are found.”
The ongoing recovery operation underscores the dedication of both U.S. and Polish forces to locate the missing soldiers. As efforts continue, the focus remains on utilizing all available resources to ensure a thorough and safe recovery process.
