U.S. Army Recovers Remains of Missing Officer in Morocco; Search for Second Soldier Continues

The U.S. Army has recovered the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., an officer who went missing during a recreational hike in Morocco. While the recovery brings a somber conclusion to part of the search, military officials confirmed that operations are still underway to locate a second missing soldier.

Recovery of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced Sunday that the remains of 27-year-old 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. Were recovered on Saturday. A Moroccan military search team located Key in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. Local time.

The recovery site was roughly one mile from the area where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean. Key, a resident of Richmond, Virginia, served as a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer.

“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family is grieving, and we will continue to support one another and 1st Lt. Key’s Family as we honor his life, and service.”

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred on May 2, around 9 p.m., near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan. Both soldiers were off duty and participating in a recreational hike when they reportedly fell from a cliff. The terrain in this region is challenging, characterized by a mix of mountains, desert, and semi-desert plains.

The disappearance triggered a massive search-and-rescue operation. More than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco, and other military partners joined the effort, deploying drones, helicopters, and ships to scan the rugged coastline and Atlantic waters.

Service and Legacy of 1st Lt. Key

1st Lt. Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, within the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission the following year. After completing the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he served as an Air Defense Artillery officer.

His military decorations include the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal. He is survived by his parents, his sister, and his brother-in-law.

Context: Exercise African Lion 26

The soldiers were in Morocco as part of African Lion 26, a U.S.-led multinational military exercise. This annual event is the largest U.S. Joint military exercise in Africa and has been running for over 20 years.

The 2026 iteration of the exercise began in April and spanned across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. It involved more than 5,600 military and civilian personnel from over 40 nations, designed to strengthen operational ties between U.S. Forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations.

The Cap Draa region has seen previous tragedies; in 2012, an MV-22 Osprey crash near the same training area resulted in the deaths of two U.S. Marines and injuries to two others.

Key Takeaways

• Recovery: The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. Were found Saturday morning by a Moroccan search team.
• The Incident: Two soldiers fell from a cliff during an off-duty hike near the Cap Draa Training Area on May 2.
• Ongoing Mission: Search efforts continue for the second missing soldier; a U.S. Contingent remains in Morocco to support the mission.
• Exercise Scale: African Lion 26 involved over 5,600 personnel from 40+ nations across four African countries.

As the U.S. Military continues its search for the remaining soldier, a contingent of personnel remains stationed in Morocco to provide command, control, and direct support for the ongoing rescue operation.