Recovery of Missing U.S. Army Soldiers in Lithuania

SOURCE www.npr.org
Scores of soldiers and rescue workers are heading to Lithuania to assist in the recovery efforts of four U.S. Army soldiers whose vehicle has been submerged in a swamp for more than five days. Recovery efforts have been complicated by the muddy swampland and the massive weight of the missing soldiers' vehicle.

Key Points

  • Four U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division went missing during a training mission in Lithuania.
  • The submerged vehicle is a 70-ton M88 Hercules armored vehicle stuck in a bog swamp-like area.
  • Recovery efforts involve draining, digging, and dredging techniques to extract the vehicle.

Pros

  • Scores of soldiers and rescue workers are involved in the recovery efforts.
  • Specialized teams are working to successfully recover the submerged vehicle.
  • Cooperation between American and Lithuanian soldiers, as well as engineers from the Polish Armed Forces, is aiding in the recovery process.

Cons

  • The recovery efforts are slow and challenging due to the terrain and ground water seepage.
  • The vehicle is submerged under 13 feet of water and stuck in over 6 feet of mud, creating difficulties for the divers and recovery teams.