US army says recovery efforts continue for 4 missing soldiers in Lithuania

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Search and recovery efforts continue for four US soldiers who went missing in Lithuania, US Army Europe and Africa said Thursday.

“Efforts continue by U.S. and Lithuanian personnel March 27 in the search and recovery for four missing U.S. Army Soldiers and their M88 armored vehicle near Pabrade, Lithuania,” it said in a statement.

"We are leveraging every available U.S. and Lithuanian asset to coordinate for and provide the required resources for this effort," said US Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor.

"We want everyone to know, we will not stop until our soldiers are found,” he added.

The statement highlighted that water, thick mud and soft ground around the site have complicated recovery efforts and required specialized equipment to drain water from the side and stabilize the ground.

Four US Army soldiers went missing Tuesday during a routine training exercise in Lithuania.

A multinational search operation is currently underway in Pabrade near the capital Vilnius, according to the US Army Europe and Africa Command’s public affairs office.

The soldiers’ vehicle was found submerged in water, the US Army said Wednesday.

US forces routinely participate in joint training exercises with NATO allies in Lithuania.