US soldiers conduct a search for their missing comrades near a training range in Pabradė in Lithuania. Image Credit: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP
The somber search continues for four U.S. soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania as American and Lithuanian authorities work together to determine their fate and recover their vehicle from a remote military training area near the Belarusian border.
The Soldiers and Their Mission
The soldiers are members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart in Georgia. At the time of their disappearance, they were taking part in scheduled tactical training near the town of Pabradė, which sits roughly six miles from the border with Belarus.
The troops were last seen around 4:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. They had been operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, a tracked military vehicle used to tow or recover damaged tanks and other armored vehicles. That same vehicle was later found submerged in water within the military training area.
Since their disappearance, a large-scale search and rescue operation has been underway. The effort involves U.S. Army personnel, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and other agencies working in coordination. Authorities have focused their efforts on a specific area and announced that they’ve identified a possible location tied to the incident.
Although some early reports incorrectly stated that the soldiers had died, U.S. and NATO officials have clarified that their status remains unknown. As of now, the search continues, and no official confirmation regarding the fate of the soldiers has been released.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Rescue efforts for the four U.S. soldiers missing in Lithuania remain active and wide-reaching.
The search operation involves a joint effort by U.S. Army personnel, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and civilian agencies. Their efforts are centered around a peat bog within the training area, where the soldiers’ M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was found submerged. The vehicle was located more than 15 feet deep in thick mud, and crews have been working around the clock to drain water from the swampy area and excavate the site to recover it.
The somber search continues for four U.S. soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania as American and Lithuanian authorities work together to determine their fate and recover their vehicle from a remote military training area near the Belarusian border.
The Soldiers and Their Mission
The soldiers are members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart in Georgia. At the time of their disappearance, they were taking part in scheduled tactical training near the town of Pabradė, which sits roughly six miles from the border with Belarus.
The troops were last seen around 4:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. They had been operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, a tracked military vehicle used to tow or recover damaged tanks and other armored vehicles. That same vehicle was later found submerged in water within the military training area.
Since their disappearance, a large-scale search and rescue operation has been underway. The effort involves U.S. Army personnel, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and other agencies working in coordination. Authorities have focused their efforts on a specific area and announced that they’ve identified a possible location tied to the incident.
Although some early reports incorrectly stated that the soldiers had died, U.S. and NATO officials have clarified that their status remains unknown. As of now, the search continues, and no official confirmation regarding the fate of the soldiers has been released.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Rescue efforts for the four U.S. soldiers missing in Lithuania remain active and wide-reaching.
The search operation involves a joint effort by U.S. Army personnel, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and civilian agencies. Their efforts are centered around a peat bog within the training area, where the soldiers’ M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was found submerged. The vehicle was located more than 15 feet deep in thick mud, and crews have been working around the clock to drain water from the swampy area and excavate the site to recover it.
Hundreds of personnel are involved in the operation, which has continued through the night. In addition to water pumping and excavation, teams have been searching nearby forested areas and using helicopters from both the Lithuanian Air Force and Border Guard to assist in the effort.
Lithuania’s Defence Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, said there are “positive signs” that offer hope for a quicker resolution, but she also stressed that there is no confirmation the soldiers were inside the vehicle when it went under. The country’s chief of defense, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, noted that the search area has been narrowed, improving the chances of progress.
Both U.S. and Lithuanian officials have emphasized the urgency and importance of the mission. Vaiksnoras expressed deep solidarity, stating, “Their soldiers are like our Lithuanian soldiers to us. So we spare no effort.” The U.S. Army is also keeping the families of the missing soldiers informed as the situation develops.
As of the morning of March 27, 2025, the search continues, with American and Lithuanian forces working side by side to locate the missing soldiers and bring answers to their families.
Official Statements and Clarifications
Several official statements have been released regarding the four U.S. soldiers missing in Lithuania, all emphasizing that the search is still ongoing and that there has been no confirmed outcome as of the morning of March 27, 2025.
NATO initially caused confusion when Secretary General Mark Rutte appeared to suggest the soldiers had died. However, NATO quickly issued a clarification, stating that the search is still in progress and apologized for the misunderstanding. A NATO spokeswoman explained that Rutte was referring to early news reports, not confirming the fate of the soldiers.
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa confirmed that the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle operated by the missing soldiers was found submerged in water at the training site, and that search and recovery efforts remain active.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces also weighed in, posting on social media that there is currently no evidence or information confirming the soldiers’ deaths. They stressed that a large-scale rescue operation is still underway and being led by Lithuanian military forces.
Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, made it clear that there is no confirmation either way. She said that once the operation is complete and facts are verified, the public will be informed immediately.
On the U.S. side, President Trump was asked on Wednesday if he had been briefed on the situation. He responded, “No, I haven’t.”
Together, these statements underline that the situation remains unresolved, and all parties involved continue to focus on the active search and recovery mission.
Implications for U.S.-Lithuania Military Cooperation
The situation involving the missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania has brought renewed attention to the strong and growing military partnership between the United States and Lithuania. This cooperation plays a key role in strengthening defense ties and enhancing regional security.
Currently, about 1,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, which aims to deter Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. The two nations regularly conduct joint military exercises—such as Exercise Iron Wolf—to improve coordination and readiness. U.S. and Lithuanian Special Operations Forces have also worked closely together since 2002, building deep operational ties.
Lithuania is actively investing in its defense capabilities, including the re-establishment of its 1st Mechanized Division, which is expected to be fully operational by 2030 and integrated with NATO’s Multinational Corps Northeast. In addition, Lithuania plans to spend at least $8 billion on advanced military equipment from U.S. defense contractors in the coming years. This partnership may also lead to joint factory construction and deeper integration of Lithuania into U.S. defense supply chains.
From a strategic standpoint, the U.S.-Lithuania military relationship is vital for maintaining security along NATO’s eastern flank. It benefits both countries—Lithuania gains access to cutting-edge military technology and training, while the U.S. strengthens its presence in a key region. Ongoing training ensures both militaries are prepared to operate effectively together in a range of environments.
Together, these efforts show a long-term commitment from both nations to deepen their military cooperation, especially in light of growing security concerns in the region.
Wrapping Up
As the search continues, both American and Lithuanian forces remain committed to bringing clarity and closure to the families of the missing soldiers. This incident, while tragic, has only strengthened the resolve of both nations to deepen their defense partnership and enhance regional security. Moving forward, the U.S.-Lithuania alliance will likely play an even greater role in shaping NATO’s posture along its eastern flank.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Guy D. McCardle is a sixteen-year veteran of the United States Army and most recently served as a Medical Operations Officer during OIF I and OIF II. He holds a degree in Biology from Washington & Jefferson College and is a graduate of the US Army Academy of Health Sciences. Guy has been a contributing writer to Apple News, Business Insider, International Business Times, and
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