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The body of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, has been recovered off the coast of Morocco, according to a statement released by U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
The U.S. Air Defense Artillery officer had gone missing on May 2 alongside a fellow U.S. soldier while on an off-duty hike near the Cap Draa Training Area. The incident occurred during the African Lion 2026 exercise, a multinational military training operation involving troops from several countries, including the United States and Morocco.
As per initial reports, the two soldiers were hiking when one of them fell from a cliff into the Atlantic Ocean. The other soldier, reportedly in a bid to rescue his colleague, jumped into the water to assist. Unfortunately, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. perished in the incident.
In response to the incident, an extensive search operation has been ongoing involving over 1,000 personnel from both U.S. and Moroccan forces. Despite the recovery of the missing soldier’s body, the search for the second soldier continues, with the operation still underway.
African Lion 2026 is one of the largest annual joint exercises in the region, with the aim of fostering cooperation and interoperability between U.S. forces and those of its partner countries.
U.S. Army Europe and Africa have expressed their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased soldier. The U.S. military authorities are cooperating closely with their Moroccan counterparts to investigate the incident, ensuring a thorough and transparent inquiry process.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the risks involved in multinational military exercises, where the safety and security of participating troops are a top priority. The recovery of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.’s body and ongoing search efforts reflect the U.S. military’s commitment to the well-being and safety of its personnel.
Further updates on the incident and U.S. military’s response will be provided as more information becomes available.