U.S. Soldier's Remains Recovered After Week-Long Search Off Morocco

The remains of First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a U.S. Army soldier reported missing during a military exercise in Southern Morocco, have been recovered, according to an Army statement released Sunday. Key was found Saturday, one week after he and another service member went missing near the Cap Draa Training Area during the African Lion 26 exercise. The second soldier remains missing as of Monday.

Key, 27, was participating in African Lion, a large-scale joint military exercise involving over 40 countries across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. He served as an air defense artillery officer with the Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. While leading his platoon, Key was known for his dedication to his soldiers and his selfless leadership.

The Moroccan Army reported that Key’s remains were found approximately one mile from where he and the other soldier entered the ocean near a cliff. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported his remains by helicopter to Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco, and plans are underway for their repatriation to the United States.

More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan personnel have been involved in the search effort, with Gen. Christopher Donahue of U.S. Army Europe and Africa praising Moroccan forces for their extensive support, including dive teams, aircraft, and maritime assets. The recovery marks a significant milestone in the ongoing search for the missing soldier, while efforts to locate the second individual continue.

Key’s battalion commander, Lt. Col. Chris Couch, described him as an exceptional leader whose legacy lives on within the unit. “Kendrick embodied the highest standards of service,” Couch said in a statement, expressing deep sympathy for Key’s family and calling him an “exceptional teammate.” Key had only recently joined Charlie Battery in 2025 after commissioning through officer candidate school in 2023.

The recovery highlights the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Moroccan forces during the African Lion exercise, showcasing the importance of international military cooperation in addressing such incidents.