Press Release - US Army recovers, identifies second Soldier near Cap Draa, Morocco; search and rescue operations conclude
europeafrica.army.mil • • general
Key Points:
- U.S. and Moroccan forces recovered Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, the second of two missing U.S. Soldiers near Cap Draa Training Area during African Lion 26, concluding search and rescue operations.
- Collington was found May 12 in a coastal cave about 500 meters from where the Soldiers entered the ocean, with challenging terrain and ocean conditions complicating the recovery.
- More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel participated in the extensive search covering over 21,300 square kilometers using integrated air, land, sea, and subsurface assets.
- Collington, an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to Charlie Battery, 5-4 ADAR, was praised for her positive spirit and impact on her unit; her remains and those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. are being repatriated to the U.S.
- The incident remains under investigation, with ongoing support for the Soldiers' families and no further family details released at this time.