Lithuanian, Polish troops aid in 'search and recovery' for 4 missing US soldiers from Fort Stewart
Share and Follow

The Polish military has established a group to assist the Lithuanian Army and U.S. Army in a recovery operation for four U.S. Army soldiers who disappeared early Tuesday during a training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania.

The soldiers, based in Fort Stewart in Georgia, were riding in an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle on a scheduled maintenance mission to recover another U.S. Army vehicle in the training area when they disappeared, U.S. Army Europe and Africa public affairs in Wiesbaden, Germany, confirmed.

Hundreds of U.S. and Lithuanian soldiers and law enforcement, Lithuanian military helicopters and dive teams aided in the initial ground-based search through the thick forests and swampy terrain.

However, the soldiers have yet to be located, and the M88 Hercules was found submerged in a body of water inside the training area, located over a highly pressurized gas pipeline near Pabradė, a town north of the capital Vilnius.

Recovery Efforts Continue at Site of Submerged Vehicle in Search for Missing Soldiers

Lithuanian engineers and U.S. Army soldiers pump water from a swamp to recover an Army M88 Hercules armored vehicle Thursday near Pabradė, Lithuania. (Lithuanian Armed Forces)

Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed on X a task force of several dozen Polish soldiers with heavy equipment and frogmen were “urgently” heading to Lithuania to help.

“We are responding to a request from our allies #StrongerTogether,” Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote in the post.

The country, also a member of NATO, has reportedly feared talks between Russia and Ukraine could end in a settlement that would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to threaten the region.

u.s. soldiers in lithuania

U.S. soldiers gather near military and other vehicles parked at a training range in Pabradė, Lithuania, Thursday.  (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

Lithuanian officials said they are in touch with U.S. Ambassador Kara C. McDonald and U.S. Army personnel.

“We are leveraging every available U.S. and Lithuanian asset to coordinate and provide the required resources for this effort,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, the commanding general of 1st Armored Division, wrote in a statement.

The rescue mission has now turned into “search and recovery efforts,” according to a statement from U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the dedicated and professional efforts of our Lithuanian allies in ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel,” Taylor added. “They have worked tirelessly alongside us over the last 48 hours, and we continue to be grateful for their support.” 

search in Pabradė

Recovery efforts continued Thursday for four missing U.S. soldiers near the spot where their Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabradė, Lithuania. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

The U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is keeping the soliders’ families updated on the search.

“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,” Taylor wrote. “We want everyone to know we will not stop until our soldiers are found.”

President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday he had not been briefed about the missing soldiers.

The training site is less than 6 miles from Belarus, a Russian ally since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.

military equipment in Pabradė

Military road equipment at a training range in Pabradė, Lithuania, Thursday.  (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

Lithuania, a Catholic country, will be organizing a joint prayer Sunday at its main church, the capital cathedral, and will host a mass for the missing soldiers.

The White House and Fort Stewart did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The Associated Press and Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani dies aged 93

Legendary Italian Fashion Icon Valentino Garavani Passes Away at 93

The fashion world mourns the loss of a legend as renowned Italian…
Jennifer Lopez's 'rude' Glambot moment explained by Cole Walliser

Cole Walliser Sheds Light on Jennifer Lopez’s Awkward Glambot Incident

Jennifer Lopez recently found herself at the center of controversy, accused of…
Viral protest video against Iran’s supreme leader sparks copycat demonstrations worldwide

Global Wave of Protests Erupts as Viral Video Challenges Iran’s Supreme Leader

A captivating video featuring an Iranian refugee setting aflame an image of…
Bills fire Sean McDermott after 9 seasons of falling short of reaching Super Bowl, AP sources say

Buffalo Bills Part Ways with Sean McDermott After Nine Seasons Without a Super Bowl Appearance, Reports Suggest

ORCHARD PARK, New York — The Buffalo Bills have parted ways with…
Universal Orlando visitor dies after riding Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster, state report says

Tragic Incident: Visitor Dies After Riding Universal Orlando’s Revenge of the Mummy Coaster, State Report Confirms

A 70-year-old woman tragically passed away in November following her experience on…
Northern lights could be on display across several states Monday. Here's where.

Stunning Northern Lights Set to Illuminate Skies Across Multiple States on Monday – Check Viewing Locations

The “view line”—the farthest point south where people might catch a glimpse…
Green Day honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Green Day Set to Kick Off Super Bowl LX with Special Anniversary Tribute to Generations of MVPs

The NFL is celebrating the 60th Super Bowl anniversary with a local…
White friends bullied by surging mob who mistook them for ICE agents

Viral Incident: Innocent Friends Mistaken for ICE Agents Face Mob Fury

A group of men enjoying a meal at a deli in Minneapolis…