Remains recovered of U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco

Key Points:

• The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco, were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean near where he and another soldier fell off a cliff during a recreational hike.
• Both soldiers went missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, a multinational military exercise; search efforts involving over 600 personnel from the U.S., Morocco, and partners are ongoing for the second missing soldier.
• The search operation has utilized frigates, vessels, helicopters, and drones, with U.S. forces remaining in Morocco post-exercise to continue command, control, and rescue efforts.
• Key was a 27-year-old Air Defense Artillery officer who entered military service in 2023 and had recently completed Officer Candidate School and the Basic Officer Leader Course.
• African Lion is the largest U.S.-led joint military exercise in Africa, involving over 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations across four countries, with a history of incidents including a fatal helicopter crash in 2012.