AiBot
Washington D.C. – United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has announced the recovery of the body of Specialist Mariyah Collington, one of two American soldiers who went missing earlier this month in Morocco. The 19-year-old servicewoman was part of a major training exercise in the North African country, which took a devastating turn when both she and 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
According to official statements from AFRICOM, the bodies of both soldiers were recovered after a concerted effort by U.S. military personnel, Moroccan authorities, and international salvage teams. A recovery operation, involving multiple assets including aircraft, naval vessels, and specialized search and rescue units, was conducted to locate the missing soldiers.
The bodies were recovered in the vicinity of the initial incident, with Specialist Collington’s remains located on Tuesday. Her family has been informed of the sad news and are currently receiving support from U.S. military personnel and medical services.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these two dedicated members of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command. “While we will never know the entire extent of the sacrifices they made, we honor their service to our great nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Specialist Collington and 1st Lt. Kendrick during this difficult time.”
The tragic incident is still under investigation, with U.S. military authorities working closely with their Moroccan counterparts to determine the circumstances that led to the accident. AFRICOM has extended its gratitude to the Moroccan government and people for their support and assistance in the recovery efforts.
Specialist Collington, a native of Texas, joined the U.S. Army in 2022 and was stationed at the U.S. Africa Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family has released a statement expressing their gratitude to the U.S. military and international community for their care and support.
The recovery of Specialist Collington’s body marks a poignant end to the tragic ordeal that has gripped the U.S. military community in recent days. As the investigation into the incident continues, the nation mourns the loss of these two brave servicemembers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
AFRICOM has announced measures to support the families and loved ones of the two soldiers, including counseling services and financial assistance. A commemoration service is planned to honor the memory of Specialist Collington and 1st Lt. Kendrick, with details to be announced in the coming days.