Overview

• 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.