Searchers have recovered the body of a U.S. Army soldier who went missing during a recreational hike amid military training exercises in Morocco, officials said.
A Moroccan military search team on Saturday discovered the body of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamong Key Jr., 27, along the shoreline about a mile from where he and another fell into the water on May 2, U.S. Army Europe and Africa officials said.
The search for the second soldier continues. The soldier’s identity is being withheld pending recovery and notification of next-of-kin.
“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commander of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
A Moroccan military helicopter flew Lt. Key’s body to the morgue of the Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. Plans are underway to repatriate his remains to the United States, officials said.
Both soldiers were taking part in African Lion 2026, the U.S. Africa Command’s largest joint multinational exercise. It involves more than 5,600 personnel from dozens of countries, focusing on strengthening interoperability and crisis response to regional threats.
According to media reports, Lt. Key went into the water while attempting to rescue the other soldier who had fallen off a coastal cliff. They were on an off-duty, recreational hike to view the sunset near the Camp Draa Training Area.
U.S. and Moroccan forces are concentrating on the area where Lt. Key’s body was recovered. More than 1,000 personnel from both countries are involved in search operations, officials said.
“Our Moroccan hosts have provided every asset we’ve requested and incredible subject-matter expertise, from mountaineering and dive teams to [unmanned aircraft systems] operators, aircraft, and marine assets,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “We’re incredibly grateful for the efforts they, along with our teammates from across the services, continue to pour in as we search for our remaining soldier.”
Lt. Key was a platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at the time he was reported missing.
“Kendrick embodies the highest standards of service as a selfless, inspirational leader whose unwavering dedication to his soldiers and their development leaves an enduring legacy within our ranks,” his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Chris Counch, said in a statement.
