The Search Continues: Body of Missing U.S. Soldier Recovered in Morocco

The United States military confirmed on Sunday that the remains of a soldier who went missing during joint exercises in Morocco have been recovered. 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old Air Defense Artillery officer, was found in the water along the shoreline by a Moroccan military search team. He was one of two soldiers who vanished on May 2 after falling from a cliff during a recreational hike while off duty near the Cap Draa Training Area.

The recovery occurred approximately one mile from where the two soldiers reportedly entered the ocean. The terrain in the area, characterized by rugged mountains and desert plains, has made the search and rescue operation particularly challenging. Despite the conclusion of the "African Lion" multinational war games on Friday, a U.S. contingent has remained in Morocco to provide command and control for the ongoing efforts to locate the second missing soldier.

Kendrick Key was a highly regarded officer assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. A graduate of Methodist University in North Carolina, he held a degree in marketing with multiple minors in business. He began his military journey as an officer candidate in 2023 and earned his commission in 2024. His death has cast a somber shadow over the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa, which involved over 7,000 personnel from 30 nations.

The massive search-and-rescue operation is now entering its ninth day, having already covered more than 12,000 square kilometers of the sea and coastal zones. Rescue teams, including frigates, helicopters, and drones, are currently adding roughly 3,000 square kilometers of search area per day. A U.S. defense official stated that search efforts will continue for the second soldier, though the identity of that individual has not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.

This tragic incident is a reminder of the inherent dangers faced by service members even during non-combat activities. The Cap Draa region is known for its treacherous Atlantic currents and steep coastal cliffs, which proved fatal during the sunset hike. The military community has expressed deep condolences to the Key family, as 1st Lt. Key is remembered for his dedication and the promise he showed in his emerging military career.

The "African Lion" exercises are a cornerstone of U.S. strategy in Africa, designed to train for warfare across land, sea, and cyberspace. However, the history of the drills has occasionally been marked by tragedy, including a fatal helicopter crash in 2012. As the search for the second soldier continues, the U.S. and Moroccan partners remain focused on bringing every service member home, even as the formal training mission has come to an end.