US Soldier Recovered, One Still Missing After African Lion Exercise Accident in Morocco
During the African Lion 2026 joint military exercises in Morocco, two U.S. Army soldiers went missing on May 2 after accidentally falling from cliffs near Cap Draa into the Atlantic Ocean. A massive multinational search operation involving over 600 personnel from the U.S., Morocco, and allied nations was launched. The body of First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. was recovered on May 9, while search efforts continue for the second missing servicemember. Authorities ruled out terrorism, attributing the incident to an accidental fall during off-duty hiking.
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Body of Second US Soldier Missing During African Lion Exercise in Morocco Recovered
The US Army has confirmed the recovery of Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, the second US soldier who went missing during the African Lion 2026 military exercises in Morocco. Her remains were found on May 12 in a coastal cave approximately 500 meters from where she reportedly entered the Atlantic Ocean. Collington, 19, and First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, disappeared on May 2 after falling from a cliff while hiking off-duty near the Cap Draa Training Area. Key’s body had been recovered earlier on May 9. The extensive search operation covered over 21,300 square kilometers and involved more than 1,000 US and Moroccan personnel using aircraft, drones, and ground teams. Collington, an air and missile defense crew member recently promoted to specialist, was described by commanders as an outstanding soldier. Both soldiers' remains were transported out of Morocco via a US Air Force C-130J following a dignified transfer ceremony in Guelmim. The African Lion exercise, AFRICOM’s largest annual drill, concluded on May 8, having involved over 5,600 personnel aimed at enhancing interoperability among US forces, NATO allies, and African partners.
RT - Daily newsBody of Missing US Soldier Recovered in Morocco During African Lion Drills
Moroccan search teams have recovered the body of 1st Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old US Army officer who went missing during the African Lion military exercises in Morocco. Key, an Air Defense Artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia, was found deceased along the Atlantic shoreline on May 9, approximately one mile from where he and another soldier fell from a cliff on May 2. The incident occurred near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan while the soldiers were off-duty during a recreational hike. While Key’s remains have been identified, the second soldier remains missing, prompting continued extensive search operations. The rescue effort involves over 600 personnel from the US, Morocco, and partner nations, utilizing naval vessels, helicopters, drones, and ground teams. General Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa, expressed gratitude for the support provided by Moroccan hosts. African Lion is the US Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, aimed at strengthening interoperability among US forces, NATO allies, and African partners. This year's drills involved more than 5,600 participants from over 40 countries across several African nations. Fatal incidents have occurred in previous iterations of the exercise, including a 2012 crash that killed two US Marines.
RT - Daily newsBody of Missing US Soldier Recovered in Morocco During African Lion Exercises
The remains of First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old US Army officer, were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco on May 9, 2026. Key and another soldier had been reported missing since May 2 after falling from a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike near the Cap Draa training area. The incident occurred while they were participating in 'African Lion 26,' a large-scale multinational military exercise involving over 7,000 troops from more than 30 nations. A massive search and rescue operation, deploying over 600 troops, frigates, helicopters, and drones from the US, Morocco, and partner nations, was launched immediately. While Key's body was found less than a mile from where the soldiers entered the water, search efforts continue for the second missing servicemember. US military forces have remained in Morocco following the conclusion of the exercises to maintain command and control for the ongoing rescue mission. Key, an Air Defense Artillery officer commissioned in 2024, was assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Portada // elmundoRemains of Missing U.S. Soldier Recovered Off Morocco Coast During African Lion Exercise
The U.S. Army confirmed the recovery of First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.'s remains off the coast of Southern Morocco, one week after he and another soldier went missing during the African Lion 2026 joint military exercise. The incident occurred on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area, where the soldiers entered the ocean near a cliff. Key, a 27-year-old air defense artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia, was found approximately one mile from the entry point by a Moroccan military search team. His body was transported to Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, with repatriation plans underway. The second service member remains missing as of Monday. Over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan personnel participated in the extensive search operation. U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander Gen. Christopher Donahue praised the Moroccan Armed Forces for their rapid response and provision of specialized assets, including dive teams and aircraft. Key, commissioned in 2024, was remembered by his battalion commander as an inspirational leader dedicated to his soldiers. The African Lion exercise involves over 40 countries across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Military TimesRemains of Missing U.S. Soldier Recovered Off Morocco Coast During African Lion Exercise
The U.S. Army confirmed the recovery of First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.'s remains off the coast of Southern Morocco, one week after he and another soldier went missing during the African Lion 2026 joint military exercise. The incident occurred on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area, where the soldiers entered the ocean near a cliff. While Key was found approximately one mile from the entry point by Moroccan search teams, the second service member remains missing as of Monday. Over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan personnel participated in the extensive search operation, utilizing maritime assets, dive teams, and aircraft. General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, praised the Moroccan Armed Forces for their rapid response and expertise. Key, a 27-year-old air defense artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia, was commissioned in 2024 and served with the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. His battalion commander described him as an inspirational leader. Plans are currently underway to repatriate Key's body to the United States, while search efforts for the remaining missing soldier continue with strong bilateral cooperation.
Defense NewsRemains of Missing U.S. Soldier Recovered Off Morocco Coast During African Lion Exercise
The U.S. Army confirmed the recovery of First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.'s remains off the coast of Southern Morocco, one week after he and another soldier went missing during the African Lion 26 joint military exercise. The incident occurred on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area, where the soldiers entered the ocean near a cliff. Key, a 27-year-old air defense artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia, was found approximately one mile from the entry point by a Moroccan military search team. His body was transported to Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, with repatriation plans underway. The second service member remains missing as of Monday. Over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan personnel participated in the extensive search effort, utilizing dive teams, aircraft, and maritime assets. U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander Gen. Christopher Donahue praised the Moroccan Armed Forces for their rapid response and expertise. Key, commissioned in 2024, was remembered by his battalion commander as an inspirational leader dedicated to his soldiers. The African Lion exercise involves over 40 countries across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Army TimesBody of Missing US Soldier Found in Morocco During African Lion Exercises
The Moroccan army confirmed on Sunday that the body of one of two US soldiers, who went missing during the African Lion 2026 international military exercises in southern Morocco, has been recovered. The serviceman’s remains were found in the sea near Cap Draa Training Area on Saturday, following a massive joint search operation involving US, Moroccan, and allied forces. The search effort covered over 8,000 square kilometers of coastal and marine terrain, utilizing more than 10 aircraft, cave divers, and unmanned underwater vehicles. The two soldiers had disappeared near an Atlantic coast cliff while participating in the drills last Saturday. A US military official indicated that the incident was likely an accident, ruling out terrorism, and suggested the soldiers may have fallen into the water. The recovered body has been transferred to a military hospital pending repatriation to the United States. Search operations are currently ongoing for the second missing soldier. The African Lion 2026 exercise involves nearly 5,000 troops from over 40 countries, focusing on security and defense cooperation.
The New ArabBody of US Soldier Missing During Morocco Exercise Recovered from Sea
The body of a US soldier, who went missing during the 'African Lion 2026' international military exercise in southern Morocco, has been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. The Moroccan army announced on Sunday that the remains were found on Saturday near Cap Draa, following a massive joint search operation involving US, Moroccan, and allied forces. The search utilized ten aircraft, divers, and unmanned underwater vehicles after two soldiers disappeared near a cliff in early May. While one soldier has been identified and his body transferred to a military hospital for repatriation, the search for the second missing serviceman continues. A US military spokesman indicated that the incident was likely an accident, suggesting the soldiers may have fallen into the sea while hiking after exercises concluded. Terrorist involvement has been explicitly ruled out. The 'African Lion 2026' drill, which began in late April in Agadir, involves nearly 5,000 military personnel from over 40 countries, highlighting the scale of the international cooperation effort currently underway in the region.
Aktuell - FAZ.NETRemains of US Soldier Missing During Morocco Military Drill Recovered
The US Army has confirmed the recovery of the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a US soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco. Key, an Air Defence Artillery officer, disappeared on May 2 after falling off a cliff near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan while off duty with another soldier. His body was found in the Atlantic Ocean by a Moroccan military search team on May 9, approximately one mile from where the soldiers entered the water. The incident triggered a massive search-and-rescue operation involving over 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco, and other military partners, utilizing frigates, helicopters, and drones. While Key has been identified, search efforts continue for the second missing soldier. The disappearances occurred during African Lion 26, a major US-led multinational military exercise held across four African countries. A US contingent remains in Morocco to support ongoing rescue operations and provide command and control capabilities following the conclusion of the war games.
News | Euronews RSSBody of Missing US Serviceman Recovered in Morocco During African Lion Exercise
The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) announced the recovery of the body of one of two US servicemen who went missing in southern Morocco during the multinational military exercise 'African Lion 2026.' The remains, believed to be those of Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were found at sea near Cap Draa in the Tan-Tan region after a week of intensive search operations. The soldiers disappeared on May 2 near a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A US military official suggested the incident was likely an accidental fall into the ocean, ruling out terrorism. The joint search effort involved over 600 personnel from Morocco, the US, and other participating nations, utilizing military vessels, aircraft, and cave-diving specialists to cover more than 8,000 square kilometers. The recovered remains have been transferred to a military hospital in Guelmim pending repatriation. Search operations continue for the second missing serviceman. The 'African Lion 2026' exercise, organized by FAR in partnership with US Africa Command, involves nearly 5,000 troops from over 40 countries, highlighting ongoing defense cooperation between the nations.
Le SoirBody of One Missing US Serviceman Found in Morocco During African Lion 2026 Exercise
The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) announced the recovery of the body of one of two American servicemen who went missing in southern Morocco. The remains, believed to be those of Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were found at sea following a week of intensive joint search operations with US forces. The soldiers disappeared on May 2 near a cliff at Cap Draa in the Tan-Tan region while participating in African Lion 2026, a multinational military exercise. A US official suggested the incident was likely an accidental fall into the ocean, ruling out terrorism. The recovered remains have been transferred to a military hospital in Guelmim pending repatriation. Search efforts for the second missing serviceman continue, involving over 600 personnel, including cave-diving specialists, military vessels, and aircraft. The operation has covered more than 8,000 square kilometers of maritime and coastal areas. African Lion 2026 involves nearly 5,000 military personnel from over 40 countries, highlighting significant international defense cooperation between Morocco and the United States.
Le SoirBody of US Soldier Recovered After African Lion Exercise in Morocco
The body of a United States soldier, who went missing during the African Lion 2026 international military exercise in Morocco, has been recovered from the sea. The Moroccan army announced the discovery on Saturday following a massive search operation involving land, sea, and air assets. Two US soldiers had initially disappeared in early May near a steep cliff on the Atlantic coast in the Cap Draa training area. A US military spokesperson indicated that the incident was likely an accidental fall into the water, explicitly ruling out any terrorist involvement. Reports suggest the soldiers were hiking after official exercises had concluded. The search effort mobilized approximately 600 personnel, including ten aircraft, divers, frigates, drones, and unmanned underwater vehicles. African Lion 2026, led by the USA, is the largest joint US military exercise in Africa in over two decades, involving more than 7,000 troops from over 30 nations across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. This tragedy recalls a 2012 incident where two US Marines died in a helicopter crash during similar exercises in southern Morocco.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenBody of US Soldier Found in Sea After African Lion 2026 Exercise
The body of a United States soldier, who went missing during the 'African Lion 2026' international military exercise in early May, has been recovered from the sea in Morocco. The Moroccan army announced on Sunday that the remains were retrieved on Saturday near a cliff on the Atlantic coast in the Cap Draa training area. A massive multi-national search operation involving US Army personnel, Moroccan forces, and allied troops utilized ten aircraft, divers, and unmanned underwater vehicles to locate the missing individuals. While one soldier has been found and transferred to a military hospital for eventual repatriation, the search for the second missing serviceman continues. A US military spokesman indicated that the incident was likely an accident, possibly resulting from the soldiers falling into the sea while hiking after exercises concluded, and explicitly ruled out any terrorist involvement. The 'African Lion 2026' exercise, which began in late April in Agadir, involves nearly 5,000 military personnel from over 40 countries, highlighting the scale of the international cooperation occurring at the time of the incident.
DiePresse.com - HomeMorocco Recovers Body of Missing U.S. Soldier from African Lion 2026 Exercise
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces announced the recovery of the body of Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing during the African Lion 2026 military exercise. The soldier had been missing for approximately eight days after disappearing near the Cap Draa Training Area close to Tan-Tan, Morocco. His remains were located through joint search efforts involving Moroccan and U.S. land, sea, and air assets, as well as civil defense teams. The body was transported by military helicopter to the Moulay Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, and procedures for repatriating his remains to the United States are currently underway. Search and rescue operations continue for the second missing U.S. soldier. The African Lion 2026 exercise, a major multinational drill involving 41 countries, was jointly organized by Morocco and the United States. It began on April 27 and concluded on May 8. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) initially reported the disappearance of the two soldiers on May 3. This incident highlights the ongoing cooperation between Moroccan and U.S. military forces despite the tragic outcome.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerBody of Missing US Soldier Recovered in Morocco During Training Exercise
The U.S. Army confirmed on Sunday that search teams have recovered the body of a missing American soldier in Morocco. The remains of 1st Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a platoon leader in an artillery unit, were found by Moroccan searchers in the water near Cap Draa. The discovery occurred on Saturday, approximately one mile from the location where Lieutenant Key went missing on May 2 during a training exercise. While one soldier has been recovered, the Army stated that a second service member remains missing, and search operations are actively continuing. The incident took place during African Lion, the U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint military exercise. This multinational drill involves approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries, including U.S. forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations. The majority of the exercise activities are centered in Morocco. The recovery marks a somber development in what is intended to be a cooperative security engagement, highlighting the risks inherent in large-scale military training operations. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the specific circumstances leading to the soldiers going missing near the cliffside area.
The Straits Times World NewsUS Search for Missing Soldiers in Morocco Enters Second Week
A contingent of American troops remains in the Cap Draa Training Area in southwestern Morocco to continue search and rescue operations for two US Army soldiers who went missing on May 2, 2026. The incident occurred after training exercises during the African Lion 26 joint military exercise, when one soldier fell into the Atlantic Ocean near oceanside cliffs and a second soldier jumped in to attempt a rescue but was struck by a wave. Despite extensive efforts involving over 600 personnel from the US and Morocco, along with assets from France, the two service members have not been found. The search area has expanded west into the Atlantic, covering approximately 12,000 square kilometers, utilizing ocean-current modeling to refine patterns. Assets deployed include US aircraft such as the C-12 Huron and KC-130J, Moroccan ships, and the US Army Vessel Major General Charles P. Gross. While the multinational African Lion 26 exercise concluded on May 8, this specific rescue mission continues under the oversight of the US Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa. The identities of the missing soldiers have not been released.
Task & PurposeTwo US Soldiers Missing During African Lion Exercises in Morocco
Search and rescue operations are currently underway in southwestern Morocco after two U.S. Army soldiers went missing during the African Lion 2026 joint military exercises. The incident occurred on May 2, 2026, near the Cap Draa Training Area close to the city of Tan Tan. According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the soldiers were last seen exploring the training area near ocean cliffs at the end of scheduled activities. When they failed to return as expected, a coordinated search effort involving U.S. and Moroccan forces was immediately initiated. Assets deployed include ground teams, maritime vessels such as a frigate, drones, and aircraft, including Moroccan helicopters and a U.S. CH-47 Chinook. Moroccan mountaineers and divers are also assisting in the search. The Moroccan military reported the soldiers missing around 9 p.m. local time on Saturday. African Lion 2026 is the largest U.S.-led joint exercise on the African continent, involving over 5,000 personnel from 40 nations across Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal. The incident remains under investigation as search efforts continue.
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