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Ministry of National Defence expressed heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased U.S. servicemen

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-03-31
International cooperation | Security and defense policy

National Defence leadership expresses deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the members of the U.S. Contingent who perished in the lines of duty in Lithuania.

Monday before dawn, after six days of gruesome massive search and rescue operation in which Lithuanian and American servicemembers, as well as other Allies who always there ready to help and Lithuanian public institutions, contributed all the strength they had and whatever time was needed, the M88 armored vehicle was pull out of the swamp area in Pabradė training site. A pretrial investigation has been started and conducted by the Lithuanian Armed Forces Military Police under direction of the Regional Prosecutor's Office of Vilnius to determine the incident circumstances.

Next of kin have been notified.

The 11th U.S. Rotational Battalion began the tour of duty in Pabradė: two battalions of the United States 3rd Infantry Division started the 9-month rotation of readiness activities in Lithuania with local and Allied troops. The United States has been rotating heavy battalions in Lithuania since 2019. NATO and U.S. force presence in Lithuania is a key deterrent. The United States passed a decision on an uninterrupted U.S. rotational force presence in the Baltic region. In its turn, Lithuania is committed to do everything necessary to provide Host Nation Support and infrastructure needed for the hosted U.S. troops.