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The tragic disappearance of two U.S. Army officers during military exercises in Morocco has taken a somber turn, as officials confirm the recovery of one soldier’s body from the Atlantic Ocean. The search for the second soldier remains ongoing, underscoring the perilous nature of their situation.
U.S. Army Europe and Africa reported on Sunday that the body of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old officer from Richmond, Virginia, was found. Lt. Key, who served as a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, vanished along with a fellow soldier during a recreational hike near the Cap Draa Training Area on May 2nd, when they reportedly fell from a cliff.
The discovery was made by a Moroccan military search team, which located Lt. Key’s remains along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time on Saturday. He was found about a mile from the point where the two soldiers were believed to have entered the ocean.
Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a heartfelt statement, he reflected on Key’s service and the void left by his passing. “Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” Gen. King said. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family is grieving, and we will continue to support one another and 1st Lt. Key’s Family as we honor his life and service.”
The military community continues to hold vigil as the search for the second soldier persists, seeking closure in this devastating chapter. Meanwhile, thoughts and condolences pour in for the family and colleagues of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., whose service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Key and the second soldier were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise hosted across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal.
The two were reported missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain featuring mountains, desert and semi-desert plains, the Moroccan military said.
The disappearance of the two soldiers led to a search-and-rescue mission involving more than 600 personnel from the U.S., Morocco and other military partners. Ships, helicopters and drones were deployed as part of this operation.
Search efforts will continue for the second missing soldier.
The two soldiers were reported missing after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
A U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the military exercises ended on Friday to provide command and control and to support the ongoing search and rescue mission.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, according to the Army.
His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School the following year as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Key is survived by his parents, his sister and his brother-in-law.
Search efforts will continue for the second missing soldier. (Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)
African Lion 26 is a U.S.-led exercise that began in April across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, with more than 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations.
For more than 20 years, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed, and two others injured during an MV-22 Osprey crash near Cap Draa while participating in Exercise African Lion.
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