Remains of one of the missing U.S. soldiers during African Lion exercise found

One of the two American soldiers who went missing during the African Lion 2026 exercise near Cap Draa on May 2 has been found and recovered, the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) announced on Sunday.

The body was spotted and recovered on May 9 at around 8:55 a.m. by FAR and Civil Protection teams following intensive joint search operations carried out with U.S. forces. The efforts involved ground, maritime, and aerial units.

According to preliminary findings, the deceased has been identified as Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.

The body was transported by helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, pending repatriation.

Search and rescue operations are still underway to locate the second American soldier, who has remained missing since May 2. The two soldiers are believed to have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean when going on a hike near the Cap Draa training area.