U.S. Navy divers have attached lines to a sinking M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle that went missing in Lithuania. The vehicle was carrying four U.S. Army soldiers from Fort Stewart, Georgia, during a training exercise near Pabradė. They disappeared while trying to recover another vehicle in the area.
After attaching a second line to secure the Hercules, the Army planned to anchor it to keep it from sinking further into the muddy terrain. "The winching process will be slow due to the pressure from the mud," said the U.S. Army Europe and Africa in a post on X.
The recovery efforts have seen the M88 estimated to be about four meters underwater and covered in two meters of mud. To assist, a system called RAIL, used typically in challenging terrain, was expected to arrive to help stabilize the area.
Brig. Gen. John Lloyd, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, described the situation: "It’s highly complex to recover a 70-ton vehicle from a boggy area below the waterline."
Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, emphasized their commitment, stating that the country has pooled all resources for this search. "We are doing everything possible, from helicopters with thermal vision to ground forces," she said. While there’s no evidence confirming the soldiers’ deaths, it remains uncertain if they managed to escape before the vehicle sank.
The terrain where the vehicle disappeared is similar to Alaskan landscapes, characterized by swamps and dense forests. Despite the challenges, Šakalienė remains hopeful. "Strong soldiers can endure a lot; we will not give up," she said.
This incident underscores the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises, with one survey from the U.S. Defense Department indicating that roughly one-third of all military fatal accidents occur during training. The ongoing support from U.S. Army leadership is evident, as Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor noted, "This situation weighs heavily on us. We are committed to finding our soldiers."
In a symbolic gesture, Lithuania organized a joint prayer at its capital cathedral, reflecting the deep bond between the nations in stress-filled times.
Recovery efforts continue as hope remains alive for the soldiers and their families. For more updates, you can follow the U.S. Army on X.
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