THREE soldiers who vanished when their tank sunk into a swamp have been found dead after a six day rescue operation.
The US Army troops were discovered after the arduous mission at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania.
APUS army soldiers searched the swamp using diggers[/caption]
APWater and mud was pumped out as they hunted the sunken vehicle[/caption]
EPARescue operations at the General Silvestras Zukauskas training ground during the search[/caption]
EPAThe search continued for six days in Lithuania[/caption]
EPAUS and Lithuanian troops tried to find the missing soldiers[/caption]
And tragically a fourth soldier remains missing following the discovery of the sunken 63-ton M88 ‘Hercules’ recovery vehicle.
Lithuanian and US officials have vowed to continue the search until the missing soldier is found.
The soldiers and their vehicle went missing at the Pabrade training ground near the border with Belarus – Russia‘s closest ally.
They vanished while on a mission to repair and tow back another armoured vehicle last Tuesday.
Searches were carried out – and the Hercules was found in the swamp.
But what followed as agonising effort to try and free the machine from the sticky mud.
Photos from the last few days showed the incredible scale of the rescue operation.
Fleets of armoured vehicles and diggers were seen clearing the bog as they searched for the soldiers and their machine.
The M88 is an armoured vehicle used to haul other tanks through warzones – being armed with heavy duty towing gear and cables.
It weighs as much as the US’s largest main battle tank – the M1 Abrams.
US Navy divers were deployed armed with hooks – moving through thick mud and clay with zero visiblity to try and winch out the vehicle.
It was an agnosiing two hour operation as several bulldozers finally managed to free the M88.
The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
APBags of earth removed by a team of diggers[/caption]
APSoldiers stand by as the search continued[/caption]
EPAArmoured vehicles and diggers were drafted in to find the sunken vehicle[/caption]
EPAUS Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald (C) during her visits to the training ground[/caption]
EPAThe operation was complicated and it took days to recover the wreck[/caption]
Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, said: “I’d like to personally commend the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies who were instrumental in the recovery efforts.
“Their courage and commitment to this operation will always be remembered and demonstrates the strong relationship between our countries.
“However, search and recovery efforts are not complete – they will continue until we bring all of our soldiers home.”
Colonel James Armstrong, First Armored Brigade Commander, added: “The Raider family is heartbroken over the tragic loss of our Soldiers. We are ensuring we provide the needed support to their families and our Soldiers as we go through this grieving process.
“We are an incredibly tight-knit family, and their absence is keenly felt, and we will hold them close in our memories.
“I want to extend my personal thanks to everyone who assisted in the search and recovery efforts.”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda took to social media platform X to announce the grim discovery of the tragic he troops.
He said: “It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the tragic loss of three U.S. soldiers.
“Lithuania mourns together with the American nation.”
In a statement, the US Army said: “Three US Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31.”
