Pabradė, Lithuania – March 2025 — A dramatic rescue operation unfolded this week in the wetlands near Pabradė, Lithuania, after a U.S. military vehicle became stuck and eventually sank in a swamp during a routine training exercise.

The incident occurred during a NATO joint training mission involving American and Lithuanian forces. According to military officials, a U.S. armored vehicle – believed to be a Stryker infantry carrier – veered off the designated route and became trapped in the muddy terrain. Efforts to extract the vehicle using standard towing methods failed as the swamp’s soft ground gave way, causing the vehicle to submerge deeper.

Emergency teams from both U.S. and Lithuanian units responded quickly, establishing a perimeter and launching a full-scale recovery operation. A combination of heavy engineering equipment, inflatable pontoons, and ground stabilization techniques was used to prevent further sinking.

“The terrain in this region is particularly challenging this time of year,” said Captain Jonas Petraitis of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. “Our teams worked in close coordination with the Americans to ensure everyone’s safety and minimize environmental damage.”

Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and all crew members had exited the vehicle safely before it became fully submerged. The recovery process took over 36 hours, involving dozens of personnel, including military engineers and environmental specialists.

The operation highlighted both the risks inherent in multinational exercises and the strength of cooperation between NATO allies. An investigation is underway to assess whether additional safety protocols or route adjustments are needed for future missions in the area.

Despite the incident, military officials reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing training efforts and praised the professionalism shown by all units involved.