Published：May 3, 11:48Last updated：May 11, 06:01

US Soldier Found Dead, Another Still Missing in African Lion 2026 Exercise

May. 3, 2026 11:48

Two U.S. service members went missing in southwestern Morocco following multinational military exercises. The incident was reported by AFRICOM on May 3, 2026. The details of their disappearance remain unclear.

Summarized

29News

20Media

May. 11, 2026 01:30

Hundreds of rescue workers had been searching for two US soldiers who disappeared during a military exercise in Morocco. One of the soldiers has now been found dead in the Atlantic Ocean. The incident underscores the risks associated with military training operations.

May. 11, 2026 06:01

On May 10, 2026, Moroccan military officials confirmed the death of a US soldier who went missing during the multinational military exercise 'African Lion 2026.' The soldier's body was found in the sea near the training area. Another US soldier remains missing. The incident occurred after the soldiers went hiking near a coastal cliff, and authorities have ruled out terrorism as a cause. A similar accident occurred during the 2012 African Lion exercise, resulting in fatalities.

The body of 1st Lt Kendrick Lamont Key Jr, a US soldier missing since May 2 during the African Lion 2026 exercise in Morocco, was recovered on May 10 near Cape Draa. The multinational search continues for the second missing soldier, with over 600 personnel involved in the operation. The incident occurred during downtime from the military exercise when the soldiers were hiking near coastal cliffs, with no evidence of foul play. This marks the first fatal incident in the exercise's 22-year history.

🕯️ Recovery Operation

Moroccan search teams located Key's remains in Atlantic waters within a mile of the disappearance site. The US Army confirmed the recovery in an official statement, while the identity of the second missing soldier remains undisclosed. The search involves:

Maritime patrols along Morocco's coastline
Aerial surveillance assets
Specialized dive teams
The operation continues 24/7 with support from NATO allies.China.org+2

🌍 Exercise Context

African Lion 2026 key details:

Aspect	Detail
Duration	April 28 - May 8
Participants	5,000+ from 40 nations
Location	Multiple Moroccan sites
Focus	Counterterrorism drills
The exercise includes forces from US, NATO, and African partner nations.Die Welt+2

⚠️ Safety Review

The incident raises critical questions about:

Off-duty safety protocols during exercises
Coastal terrain hazards in training areas
Emergency response coordination
A similar 2012 incident during the same exercise resulted in fatalities, prompting previous safety evaluations.CCTV+2

🏛️ Official Response

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has:

Activated casualty assistance protocols
Maintained continuous communication with Moroccan authorities
Withheld the second soldier's identity pending family notification
The Moroccan military leads recovery efforts with US support.The Guardian+2

Tan-TanMoroccan ArmyAfrican Lion 2026Cap Draa Training AreaUS Africa Command (AFRICOM)

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China

Reporting emphasizes the recovery of one soldier's body and the ongoing search for the second missing individual during a multinational military exercise.