Latest news with #LithuanianArmedForces
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fourth Fort Stewart Soldier found dead in Lithuania, investigation continues
This afternoon near Pabradė, Lithuania, the fourth U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division who went missing on March 25 was found dead, according to a press release issued by U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The soldiers went missing in the early morning hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. Early the next morning, U.S. Army units supported by Lithuanian Armed Forces and law enforcement 'conducted a search in the area and found the soldiers' vehicle submerged in a body of water." Of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing, three were found dead in Lithuania on March 31, as previously reported by the Savannah Morning News. In the early morning of March 31, the M88A2, which weighs 63 tons, was removed from the peat bog. The soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies, the press release added. The Soldier's identity is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin. "First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our Soldiers,' said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 'I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.' The U.S. Army is investigating the cause of the accident. 'We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring this recovery to an end and bring closure to all the Families, friends and teammates of our Soldiers,' said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general, 1st Armored Division. 'We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade.' 'As the fourth and final Soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dog Face Soldiers home to their families,' said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general, V Corps. 'It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.' More: Three missing Fort Stewart Soldiers found dead in Lithuania after conducting mission The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR), which was launched by the United States in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The soldiers were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. 'Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.' "We continue to stand by the families and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time,' added Norrie. 'Now, it's time to bring them home.' Also on April 1, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) released a statement. 'I join all Georgians in mourning the devastating loss of four brave servicemembers from Ft. Stewart's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who tragically lost their lives in Lithuania during a training mission. 'I send my deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and fellow servicemembers on their loss. 'Our servicemembers risk their lives defending our nation and upholding our commitments to our allies. We will never forget their heroism and bravery. 'May their memories be a blessing.' Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Fourth Fort Stewart Soldier found dead in Lithuania
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fourth US soldier found dead in Lithuania after vehicle sank in swamp
The fourth and final missing U.S. soldier whose armored vehicle sank in a swamp in Lithuania last week was found deceased Tuesday. Three American soldiers were declared dead Monday after crews retrieved the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle from a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania. The vehicle disappeared on March 25 "while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle," according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa. "The fourth U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was found deceased near Pabradė, Lithuania the afternoon of April 1," it announced Tuesday. "The soldier's identity is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin." "First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our soldiers," Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, added in a statement. "I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies -- and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers -- have enabled us to find and bring home our soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends." 3 American Soldiers Deceased After Us Armored Vehicle Pulled From Lithuanian Swamp "This past week has been devastating," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. "Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier. Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them." Read On The Fox News App U.S. Army Europe and Africa said earlier today that "Police working dogs from the Lithuanian Armed Forces began work yesterday afternoon and NATO ally Estonia joined the recovery efforts early this morning." "Two Estonian recovery dogs, Tilt and Maik, and their handlers flew from Tallinn, Estonia. They arrived on scene at 2:00 a.m. and began searching at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Handlers have positioned the dogs in a U.S. Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat to locate any trace scents below the surface," it added. Hegseth Announces Plan For Us Command Upgrades In Japan To Deter China Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll wrote on X Monday that "We will not rest until the fourth and final Soldier is found and brought home. "No words can truly capture the pain of this loss, but my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers mourning their heroes," he said. U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced Monday that the armored vehicle was removed from the swamp "after a six-day-long effort that required tremendous resources from Lithuania, our steadfast ally, and hundreds of service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Polish Armed Forces – along with other elements from the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies – to solve the engineering challenge of recovering the 63-ton-vehicle from an area surrounded by unstable ground conditions."Original article source: Fourth US soldier found dead in Lithuania after vehicle sank in swamp
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Fox News
Lithuania deploys dogs in search for final missing US soldier after vehicle sank in swamp
Police working dogs are now involved in the search for the fourth and final missing U.S. soldier whose armored vehicle sank in a swamp in Lithuania last week. Three American soldiers were declared deceased Monday after crews retrieved the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle from a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania. The vehicle disappeared on March 25 "while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle," according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa. "Police working dogs from the Lithuanian Armed Forces began work yesterday afternoon and NATO ally Estonia joined the recovery efforts early this morning," U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement Tuesday. "Two Estonian recovery dogs, Tilt and Maik, and their handlers flew from Tallinn, Estonia. They arrived on scene at 2:00 a.m. and began searching at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Handlers have positioned the dogs in a U.S. Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat to locate any trace scents below the surface," it added. U.S. Army Europe and Africa also said "more capabilities continue to flow to the recovery site, including... two specialized drone systems – including one equipped with ground-penetrating radar – are being used to assist in the search." "The names of the deceased are withheld pending confirmation of next of kin," it continued. "An investigation into the circumstances around this incident is ongoing." Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll wrote on X Monday that "We will not rest until the fourth and final Soldier is found and brought home. "No words can truly capture the pain of this loss, but my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers mourning their heroes," he said. U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced Monday that the armored vehicle was removed from the swamp "after a six-day-long effort that required tremendous resources from Lithuania, our steadfast ally, and hundreds of service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Polish Armed Forces – along with other elements from the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies – to solve the engineering challenge of recovering the 63-ton-vehicle from an area surrounded by unstable ground conditions."
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
BREAKING NEWS: Three U.S. Soldiers found deceased in Lithuania
WIESBADEN, Germany (WSAV) — The U.S. Army Europe and Africa has issued a statement saying three of the U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania Monday, March 31. The Soldiers, whose identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, went missing in the early morning hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. Search and recovery operations continue for the remaining fourth Soldier. U.S. Army units supported by Lithuanian Armed Forces and law enforcement conducted a search in the area and found the Soldiers' vehicle submerged in a body of water in the early hours of March 26. The M88A2 was removed from the peat bog early Monday morning, March 31, after a six-day-long effort that required tremendous resources from Lithuania and hundreds of service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Polish Armed Forces—along with other elements from the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies—to solve the engineering challenge of recovering the 63-ton-vehicle from an area surrounded by unstable ground conditions. 'The Soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just Soldiers – they were a part of our family. Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home,' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. 'We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time. But the search isn't finished until everyone is home. Words cannot express our gratitude to those still working around the clock during these extensive search and recovery efforts and your unwavering commitment not to rest until all are found.' 'Today is a very sad and tragic day. The loss of these Soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all Task Force Iron service members, and the 3rd Infantry Division. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these brave Soldiers,' said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division. 'I'd like to personally commend the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies who were instrumental in the recovery efforts. Their courage and commitment to this operation will always be remembered and demonstrates the strong relationship between our countries. However, search and recovery efforts are not complete – they will continue until we bring all of our Soldiers home.' The Soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
27-03-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Search underway for 4 US Army soldiers missing in Lithuania
Hundreds of troops and emergency workers are racing to find four US soldiers who went missing during a training mission near Lithuania's border with Belarus, the US Army said Thursday, after their armored vehicle was found submerged in a body of water. The soldiers were reported missing in a training area near the city of Pabrade at approximately 4:45 p.m. (10:45 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, the Lithuanian Armed Forces said in a Wednesday statement. Members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had been carrying out a mission to recover another US vehicle in a schedule training session, according to the US Army. US and Lithuanian soldiers, law enforcement officials, and Lithuanian military helicopters and diving teams were part of the seismic operation, which ran through Thursday 'without pause,' according to the US Army. Ground-search parties waded through thick forests and swampy terrain, which 'complicated recovery efforts.' It came after the US Army Europe and Africa confirmed that the M88 armored vehicle operated by the soldiers was found in a training area. 'The vehicle was discovered submerged in a body of water in a training area after a search by US Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces and other Lithuanian authorities,' the statement on Wednesday said. 'Recovery efforts are underway by US Army and Lithuanian Armed Forces and civilian agencies. Search efforts for the Soldiers continue.' Emergency crews were digging into a swamp, which was drained after vehicle was discovered more than 5 meters down, according to Lithuania's Defense Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, Reuters reported. Engineers created berms – strips of raised land – to help contain the surrounding water, which could be pumped and provide access to emergency personnel on site to the vehicle, the US Army said. As of Thursday, there is 'no evidence or information confirming any casualties,' Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense said in a statement. The soldiers were from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and were conducting 'scheduled tactical training' at the time of the incident, the statement continued. Asked Wednesday evening by reporters if he had been briefed about the missing soldiers, US President Donald Trump said: 'No, I haven't.' U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor insisted teams 'will not stop' until the troops were found. 'This tragic situation weighs heavily on all of us and we're keeping the families, friends and teammates of our soldiers and recovery team in our thoughts and prayers,' the commanding general of 1st Armored Division said on Thursday. Šakalienė said in a post on X that she was 'deeply saddened' to hear about the missing soldiers. 'Everybody remains on standby, ready to provide emergency medical support,' she said. 'Please rest assured that we will continue our efforts tirelessly.' The US has maintained a presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region since 2014, in an operation called 'Atlantic Resolve,' following Russia's invasion of Crimea. Lithuania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, hosts hundreds of American troops, who are stationed on a rotational basis. A US military camp named Camp Herkus was established in Pabrade in August 2021, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence announced in a statement at the time. It is equipped to house up to 700 soldiers, or 1,000 on a short-term basis, according to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNN's Benjamin Brown contributed to this report.
