Lithuanian and Polish Troops Join Search for Missing US Soldiers in Training Tragedy

The search for four missing U.S. soldiers from Fort Stewart, Georgia, has taken an international turn, with Lithuanian and Polish troops joining forces in a rescue and recovery mission. The soldiers went missing during a training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania, after their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle disappeared while on a scheduled maintenance mission. The vehicle was later found submerged in water, adding to the challenges of the operation.

Hundreds of personnel, including U.S. and Lithuanian soldiers, law enforcement, and specialized dive teams, have been scouring the area, which is described as a swampy and forested terrain reminiscent of Alaska’s wilderness. Lithuanian military helicopters equipped with thermal vision and ground forces have been deployed, yet the soldiers have not been located.

Poland has stepped in with troops and engineering equipment to bolster the efforts. Specialized tools, including dredgers and land dredging equipment, are being brought in to stabilize the area and drain water around the submerged vehicle. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė stated that all available resources are being utilized, emphasizing the intense nature of the rescue operation.

"We are working tirelessly to locate these soldiers," Šakalienė said, expressing hope despite the grueling conditions. The recovery process includes reinforcing a dam, installing pipelines, and using advanced hydrographic equipment to assess the vehicle's position. A diver will eventually attach cables to tow the vehicle to shore, where investigators will determine whether the soldiers are inside. Šakalienė acknowledged that it's unclear if the soldiers managed to escape before the vehicle sank.

The surrounding terrain, described as boggy with soft ground, coupled with similar weather conditions to Alaska, has made the search particularly difficult. Šakalienė noted that the soldiers might be lost, injured, or experiencing hypothermia but maintained optimism: "These are strong men, and we’re considering all scenarios." Lithuania, a NATO member, regards the American soldiers as family and has vowed not to abandon the search.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that Polish troops equipped with heavy machinery and frogmen are urgently heading to Lithuania to assist. "We are responding to a request from our allies #StrongerTogether," he wrote on social media, underscoring the solidarity between NATO members. The training grounds are located just six miles from Belarus, a Russian ally, further heightening the geopolitical stakes of the rescue mission.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding the 1st Armored Division, expressed gratitude for Lithuania's support, stating, "We will not stop until our soldiers are found." Families of the missing soldiers are being kept informed as the operation transitions from a rescue to a recovery effort. Lithuania plans to hold a joint prayer service and mass for the soldiers this Sunday, reflecting the emotional toll of the incident.

As of now, the search continues with unwavering determination from all involved parties. The soldiers' disappearance has left a heavy cloud over their unit and allies, but the joint efforts of Lithuania, Poland, and the U.S. Army remain resilient.