Latest news with #GeneralSilvestrasŽukauskas
Euronews
01-04-2025
- Euronews
Fourth US soldier missing in Lithuania swamp found dead, President Nausėda says
ADVERTISEMENT The fourth US solider who went missing in Lithuania last Tuesday has been confirmed dead. Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda made the announcement in a post on X, saying "our heartfelt condolences go to our US allies and their people." "Lithuania has been praying for all four missing soldiers, and now, with all our hearts, we stand with their families," Nausėda said. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who dedicated immense efforts to find the one remaining soldier still missing under such challenging conditions." The announcement comes after three of the four missing service personnel were found dead on Monday after their armoured vehicle was pulled from a swampy area. The first three bodies were recovered after a massive six-day effort by US, Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities to dig the M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the expansive "General Silvestras Žukauskas" training ground in the town of Pabradė. Recovery efforts continue for four missing US soldiers near the spot where their Hercules vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabradė, 28 March, 2025 AP Photo The soldiers had been on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing early on Tuesday, the US Army said. The command in a statement said the identities of the 1st Armoured Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldiers were being withheld pending family notifications. "We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time," said Major General Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander. Hundreds of Lithuanian and US soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, 10 kilometres west of the border with Belarus. The armoured Hercules vehicle was discovered on Wednesday submerged in 4.5 metres of water. Lithuanian armed forces provided military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They brought in additional excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and earth to help the recovery. US Navy divers were able to manoeuvre through thick layers of mud, clay and sediment "with zero visibility" to reach the 63-tonne vehicle on Sunday evening and find two points to attach steel cables, according to the command. German Army soldiers light candles in memory of three soldiers found dead on Monday at a training range in Pabradė, 1 April, 2025 AP Photo The command said that during the effort to pull the vehicle out of the bog, it began to lose traction, so additional heavy dozers were brought in and attached to provide additional grip. ADVERTISEMENT The vehicle was pulled free after about two hours, the command said. The US Army and Lithuanian authorities are currently investigating what led to the Hercules sinking into the swamp.
Los Angeles Times
31-03-2025
- Los Angeles Times
In Lithuania, bodies of 3 U.S. soldiers found in armored vehicle. 1 is still missing
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Three of the U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have been found dead in their armored vehicle that was pulled from a swampy area early Monday, according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command. Another soldier is still missing. The bodies of the three soldiers were recovered after a massive six-day effort by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities to dig the M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the expansive General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė. The soldiers were on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing early Tuesday, the Army said. The command in a statement said the identities of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldiers are being withheld pending family notifications. 'We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time,' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander. '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.' Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, just 6 miles west of the border with Belarus. The armored vehicle was discovered on Wednesday submerged in 15 feet of water. Lithuanian armed forces provided military helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They brought in additional excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and earth to help the recovery. U.S. Navy divers were able to maneuver through thick layers of mud, clay and sediment 'with zero visibility' to reach the 63-ton vehicle Sunday evening and find two points to attach steel cables, according to the command. The command said that during the effort to pull out the vehicle, it began to lose traction, so additional heavy dozers were brought in and attached to provide additional grip. The vehicle was pulled free after about two hours, the command said. 'The armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m., the towing operation is complete, Lithuanian Military Police and US investigators continue their work,' Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said Monday morning in a post on Facebook. The Navy dive team is now searching the area using radar for the fourth soldier who is still missing. Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, thanked the 'heroic efforts' of those involved in the search and recovery. The U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities are investigating what caused the incident. Dapkus and Baldor write for the Associated Press. Baldor reported from Washington.
