American forces are deploying as many resources as they can in a rescue mission aimed at finding 3 missing US soldiers.

"We have an ongoing effort, obviously, to find our three soldiers that have a duty status of whereabouts unknown," sai Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV.

Evidence points to the soldiers being grabbed by enemy forces on May 12th.

We have an ongoing effort, obviously, to find our three soldiers that have a duty status of whereabouts unknown," Caldwell said. About 4,000 U.S. forces, he said, are "directly associated" with search efforts. "Everybody is fully engaged" in the search for the soldiers, Caldwell pointed out, noting "every asset we have, from national (other U.S. government) assets to tactical assets" are being employed.

A conveyed squad of eight soldiers, being transported via convoy, comprised of seven Americans and one Iraqi army interpreter was attacked by insurgent forces about 12 miles west of Mahmoudiya on May 12.

Five soldiers were killed in the attack, 4 of whom have been identified. "We have not released even the unit identification to which those soldiers are assigned, because we don't know who the fifth soldier is yet," Caldwell said, noting identification of the fifth deceased soldier should be completed soon.

Resource:Salem News