An M88A2 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System), missing since a training exercise in Lithuania six days ago, has been recovered—but there is still no sign of the four U.S. soldiers who disappeared with it.
"The armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m. The towing operation is complete. Lithuanian military police and U.S. investigators continue their work," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced Monday in a Facebook post.
She urged patience, stating, “Until the investigators have more details, we need to stay calm and focused, and keep in mind the sensitivity of the situation and the concerns of the soldiers’ families.” She added, “If the recovery of the vehicle does not provide all the answers, the work will have to continue.”
Multinational Effort Underway
The U.S. Army reported Friday that cranes, a high-capacity pump, and over 30 metric tons of gravel were deployed to drain water, remove mud, and extract the vehicle from the swamp where it was submerged. The incident occurred during a tactical training exercise in eastern Lithuania, approximately 10 kilometers from the Belarusian border.
Since the disappearance, Lithuanian armed forces and the U.S. Army have conducted an intensive search. A U.S. Navy dive team has been called in, and Poland has offered additional support, including engineers, equipment, and 150 personnel.
A memorial Mass was held Sunday at Vilnius Cathedral in honor of the missing soldiers. Attendees included U.S. troops, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, and U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald.
The identities of the four servicemen—members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division—have not yet been released. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.