US Army soldier remains recovered off Morocco after African Lion; search continues

The US military said on Sunday that it recovered the remains of a soldier missing in Morocco. The remains were found in the Atlantic Ocean after a week-long search. Teams are still looking for a second US Army soldier who also disappeared. Both soldiers went missing after taking part in African Lion exercises in Morocco.

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US Army Europe and Africa identified the recovered soldier as 1st Lt Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. Key was a 14A Air Defence Artillery officer and was 27. Key and the second soldier fell off a cliff during a recreational hike. The hike happened while both were off duty.

Morocco search for missing US Army soldier in African Lion exercise area

The two soldiers were reported missing on May 2. The report came after participation in African Lion, an annual multinational drill. The soldiers disappeared around 9 pm near the Cap Draa Training Area. The area lies outside Tan-Tan and includes mountains, desert and semi-desert plains.

A Moroccan military search team found Key in the water at about 8:55 am local time May 9. The body was located along the shoreline, the statement said. It was within about one mile of where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean. US Army Europe and Africa confirmed the recovery in its update.

The disappearance began a large search-and-rescue effort involving more than 600 personnel. Forces came from the United States, Morocco, and other partner militaries. The operation used frigates, other vessels, helicopters and drones. Search teams worked across sea areas and nearby coastal zones.

The search-and-rescue operation has now reached its ninth day, the statement said. Crews have covered more than 12,000 square kilometres of sea and littoral zone. The operation is adding about 3,000 square kilometres per day. Military teams said the second soldier has not yet been located.

African Lion exercise and US Army search operations in Morocco

A US defence official told The Associated Press that the search would continue. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions. The official said a US contingent stayed in Morocco after the war games ended Friday. The group is providing command and control and continuing rescue operations.

The soldiers had been taking part in African Lion 26, a US-led exercise launched in April. It ran across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal. The drill involved more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.

Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Key also served under the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. US Army Europe and Africa included these details in its statement. The command said Key was an Air Defence Artillery officer.

Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Key also studied international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration as minors. Key entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate. Key received a commission in 2024 through Officer Candidate School.

According to the statement, Key later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The military has not released the second soldier’s identity. Moroccan authorities have also not issued further public details. The recovery has not ended the wider search activity along the coast.

African Lion has seen deadly incidents in earlier years. In 2012, two US Marines were killed in a helicopter crash. Two other Marines were injured in the same incident. The crash happened in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir during the exercises. The US military continues to review risks during such training.

The US military said the search remains active for the second missing soldier in Morocco. Moroccan and US teams are continuing coordinated operations at sea and along shore areas. Officials said the effort has used aircraft, vessels and drones since the initial report. The recovery of Key has not changed the ongoing rescue focus.

With inputs from PTI