Body of Missing US Soldier Recovered from Atlantic Off Morocco

The remains of one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing in southern Morocco last week have been recovered from the sea, according to Morocco’s army.

The deceased soldier was identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old 14A Air Defense Artillery officer. He was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff into the Atlantic Ocean during a recreational hike while off duty near the Atlantic coast.

The incident occurred while the soldiers were participating in the African Lion 2026 military exercises. A large-scale search operation was immediately launched involving U.S., Moroccan, and allied forces.

A U.S. military official who spoke to AFP ruled out terrorism, stating that the incident was likely an accident in which the two soldiers fell into the sea.

Search operations continue for the second missing soldier. According to U.S. Africa Command, the efforts have covered more than 8,000 square kilometers of sea and coastline. The operation has included more than 10 aircraft, Moroccan cave divers, and an unmanned underwater vehicle.

The African Lion 2026 exercise involved nearly 5,000 troops from more than 40 countries, along with security and defense experts.