Final U.S. Soldier Recovered After Deadly Training Accident in Lithuania

All four soldiers who went missing on March 25 have now been found, as multinational recovery efforts conclude in the NATO training area near the Belarus border.

The body of the fourth U.S. soldier was recovered on April 1, following the earlier recovery of three soldiers and their submerged armored vehicle on March 31.
The soldiers, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting a mission to recover an immobilized vehicle when their M88 Hercules recovery vehicle sank in a swamp.
Over 700 personnel from the U.S., Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia utilized specialized equipment, including drones and ground-penetrating radar, to navigate the challenging terrain during the six-day recovery operation.
The accident occurred during a NATO training exercise under Operation Atlantic Resolve, highlighting the ongoing collaboration and strategic presence of NATO near the Belarus border.
The U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, as military leaders and political figures express condolences and honor the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers.