The White House thank Poland and Lithuania. End of the search for soldiers
The fourth of missing American soldiers was found dead in Lithuania, which ends the ongoing week of search. In total, the bodies of all four military people who disappeared during military exercises were found.
Today, the command in Wiesbaden said that Sergeant is dead. Troy Smith Knutson-Collins, the day before, the bodies of three other men were found who were lost during night maneuvers.
Tragedy in Lithuania: the bodies of four US soldiers were found
Four soldiers disappeared in the morning on March 25 during tactical exercises. Their vehicle was found sunk in a muddy water reservoir at the training ground near Podbrodzie, near the border with Belarus.
The vehicle extraction operation ended on Monday morning. The machine was about four meters below the water surface and under a two -meter layer of mud. The swampy area significantly hindered the search, which required bringing additional equipment. About 50 Polish soldiers took part in the action, including sappers, divers and an engineering recognition team.
American authorities’ reactions
On Tuesday, the White House confirmed the death of the fourth soldier. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that the president, minister of defense and the entire White House pray for victims, their friends and families in this difficult time.
The president, defense minister and the entire White House pray for victims, friends and family at this unimaginable time. This is another drastic reminder of the selfless victim of our brave soldiers who risk their lives around the world every day to ensure our security
– said the spokeswoman for the White House Karoline Leavitt.
It was really unusual and humming, watching an amazing rescue team from various commands, countries and continents that united and gave his best to find our soldiers. We thank Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the United States Navy and the Army Engineering Corps. We will remain grateful forever
– said General Charles Costanza, commander of the V Corps of the US land forces.
See also: « Visibility in the water is zero. » An expert with an extreme rescue operation in Lithuania
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Petras Malukas / AFP
Four American military people were lost on March 25 during exercises at the training ground in Podbrodzie.
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Petras Malukas / AFP
The rescue operation lasted a week.
