The remains of a U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the army said Sunday, while military teams continued searching for a second missing soldier in an operation that has deployed more than 600 personnel and significant resources.
The remains were those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer who was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco while off duty. He was 27 years old. The two were reported missing May 2, eight days ago, after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco.
Recovery and Search Operations
A Moroccan military search team found the soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, one day ago, within roughly one mile of where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement. The two went missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain characterized by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, according to the Moroccan military.
Their disappearance triggered a 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. Search efforts were to continue for the missing second soldier, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Military Service and Continued Presence
The official said a U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the war games ended Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations. Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the army said. His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.
African Lion Exercise
African Lion 26 is a U.S.-led exercise launched in April this year 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 U.S. joint military exercise in Africa. In 2012, 14 years ago, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco's southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.
Why This Matters:
The tragedy underscores the inherent risks U.S. military personnel face even during routine training operations abroad, raising questions about safety protocols for off-duty recreational activities in challenging foreign terrain. The massive search-and-rescue operation, involving more than 600 personnel and significant military assets including frigates, helicopters and drones, represents a substantial commitment of defense resources. With one soldier still missing and the exercise having concluded Friday, the continued U.S. military presence in Morocco highlights the operational and financial costs of maintaining overseas training partnerships. The incident marks the second fatal accident involving U.S. forces during African Lion exercises since 2012, when two Marines died in a helicopter crash, suggesting ongoing challenges in managing risk during the largest American military exercise on the African continent.