The search for four missing US soldiers in Lithuania has taken a new turn as US Navy divers have joined the recovery mission. The divers, part of Underwater Construction Team 1, arrived at the scene on Saturday and began diving operations. Their goal is to recover a vehicle that was submerged under water with over 15 feet of mud and clay-like silt.
The recovery team consists of US Army Soldiers, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other Lithuanian authorities and contractors. The mission has been a combined effort from numerous groups, with the US Army Europe and Africa division working closely with their Lithuanian and Polish allies to bring the soldiers home.
The area around the vehicle is extremely wet, making it difficult for engineers to prepare the site for heavy equipment. To address this, a large capacity slurry pump, cranes, and over 30 tons of gravel have been deployed. Despite these efforts, draining the area has been slow due to groundwater seepage.
US Navy divers will use specialized equipment, including a Defender submersible remotely operated vehicle and an Artemis Handheld Sonar, to paint a clear picture of what lies beneath the surface. The team is working around the clock to extract the vehicle, with US Army Soldiers, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other contractors providing support.
“We will not rest until our soldiers are found,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, 1st Armored Division commanding general. “We are stronger together as a joint and multinational team and we will bring our soldiers home.”
Source: https://www.wtoc.com/2025/03/28/search-missing-fort-stewart-soldiers-now-recovery-mission