The remains of a US soldier who disappeared during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the US Army confirmed on Sunday. The soldier was identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., an Air Defence Artillery officer assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defence Artillery Regiment, part of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defence Command.
Key and another US soldier went missing on 2 May after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise hosted by Morocco. The two were off duty and on a recreational hike when they fell from a cliff near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a region of mountains, desert and semi-desert plains.
“A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 am local time 9 May, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” US Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.
Search and Rescue Operation
The disappearance triggered a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. The operation deployed frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones. A US defence official confirmed that search efforts will continue for the missing second soldier.
The official added that a US contingent remained in Morocco after the war games ended on Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations.
Key entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
African Lion 26, a US-led exercise launched in April, took place across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest US joint military exercise in Africa.
The incident underscores the risks inherent in multinational military training, even during recreational activities. The US and Moroccan militaries have a long history of cooperation, and the search operation has demonstrated the depth of their partnership.
For Europe, the African Lion exercises are a reminder of the strategic importance of North Africa and the Sahel region. The EU has its own defence initiatives, such as the Portugal-led wildfire drill involving 700 personnel from six nations, and the broader challenge of matching Russian military production. The loss of life during training highlights the human cost behind these geopolitical calculations.
