Overview

• Four U.S. soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division went missing during a training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania, on March 25, 2025.
• Their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was discovered submerged in a swamp, complicating recovery operations due to the challenging terrain.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte initially stated the soldiers had died but later clarified that their fate remains unconfirmed, with the search ongoing.
• Recovery efforts involve U.S. and Lithuanian military forces, helicopters, and civilian agencies, employing heavy equipment to drain water and access the vehicle.
• The incident highlights the operational risks of training in complex environments and the geopolitical significance of NATO's presence in the region.