Four American Soldiers Missing After Training Exercise in Lithuania

The Lithuanian Armed Forces reported that four American soldiers went missing during a training exercise in eastern Lithuania on Tuesday, March 25. The incident occurred at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training area in Pabradė, prompting immediate search efforts.

Search Operations Underway

According to the armed forces, a report regarding the missing soldiers and one tracked vehicle was received at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday. In response, both Lithuanian and foreign troops, along with helicopters from the Air Force and the State Border Guard Service, were deployed for search and rescue operations.

As of Wednesday afternoon, search teams identified a potential site related to the incident, and operations continue to locate the missing servicemen. The Lithuanian Armed Forces lead the rescue efforts, supported by the Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies.

Confirmations and Speculations

While official confirmations regarding the status of the soldiers have yet to be provided, sources from LRT suggest that the four servicemen may have faced fatal circumstances. Reports further indicate that the tracked vehicle has been discovered submerged in a swamp; however, these claims await verification from official channels.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced plans to visit the Pabradė training ground to oversee the search and express solidarity with the U.S. military. “The Minister is going to the training ground to inspect the search and rescue work,” stated Ignas Grinevičius, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry.

Military and Political Responses

The U.S. Army Europe and Africa has confirmed the soldiers are missing. All four servicemen belong to the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division and were engaged in scheduled tactical training during the incident. Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the commanding general of V Corps, expressed gratitude towards the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders for their prompt assistance in the search operations, highlighting the cooperation and camaraderie shared between the two nations.

Lithuania's Police Department notified Vilnius officials about three soldiers and a vehicle reported missing at around 7:20 PM on Tuesday, following the training exercise. Lt. Major Gintautas Ciunis, a spokesperson for the Lithuanian Armed Forces, refrained from making comments beyond confirming that the individuals involved were foreign soldiers.

In light of the ongoing efforts, Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, urged respect for the ongoing procedures and requested discretion from the media and the public relating to the incident.

As agencies continue their search, the focus remains on recovering the missing soldiers while ensuring proper procedures are followed.

Conclusion

The situation surrounding the missing American soldiers has garnered attention both locally and internationally, with search operations ongoing. As developments unfold, authorities urge patience and respect for the investigation's integrity.