U.S. soldier missing during military exercises in Morocco has been found dead.

The remains of a U.S. Army soldier who had been missing during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, as confirmed by officials on Sunday. This tragic discovery follows a search operation that has extended over nine days and is part of the larger framework of the annual African Lion multilateral military training exercises.

The soldier identified is 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old Air Defense Artillery officer. He was one of two soldiers reported missing after both fell off a cliff during a recreational hike while off duty. The incident occurred on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area, situated outside of Tan-Tan, a region characterized by its challenging terrain of mountains and semi-desert plains.

According to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, a Moroccan military search team located Key’s body in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time on May 9, roughly one mile from the point where both soldiers entered the ocean. The search operation initially mobilized over 600 military personnel from various nations, including collaboration from the Moroccan military. Various assets such as frigates, helicopters, and drones have been employed throughout these extensive recovery efforts.

Search operations for the second missing soldier are ongoing, as emphasized by a U.S. defense official who spoke under conditions of anonymity. Following the conclusion of the African Lion exercises last Friday, a U.S. contingent remains stationed in Morocco to oversee command operations and facilitate continued search and rescue efforts.

1st Lt. Key had been serving as part of Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and had a notable academic background. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with additional minors in international business and entrepreneurship. His military journey began in 2023 as an officer candidate, culminating in his commission in 2024. Key later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The search-and-rescue operation has covered an extensive area of over 12,000 square kilometers, accelerating at a rate of approximately 3,000 square kilometers per day. This year’s African Lion exercise, involving more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations across four countries—Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal—has set a significant precedent as one of the largest U.S. joint military operations in Africa since its inception in 2004.

Past incidents have also marred these exercises; in 2012, for example, a helicopter crash during training resulted in the deaths and injuries of U.S. Marines in Morocco’s Agadir region. Current efforts underline the continued commitment to both training and safety amidst the complexities of international military operations.

As the search continues, officials remain hopeful for the discovery of the second missing soldier, demonstrating the collective resolve and collaboration among military forces in response to this developer.