Morocco: Remains of US soldier who fell off cliff found in ocean

The remains of a US soldier who went missing during training exercises in Morocco have been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean.

Military teams are continuing the search for a second missing soldier after the pair fell off a cliff while on a recreational hike a week ago.

The body of Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr, a 27-year-old 14A air defence artillery officer, was found in the water on Saturday one mile from where they fell.

The two were reported missing on 2 May after they participated in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise in Morocco.

"A Moroccan military search team found the soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8.55am local time on 9 May, within roughly one mile of where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean," US Army Europe and Africa said.

The two went missing at about 9pm near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, in a terrain characterised by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, the Moroccan military said.

Their disappearance triggered a search and rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the US, Morocco and other military partners.

Read more from Sky News:
Bodies of hikers found after Indonesia volcano eruption
Suicide bombing leaves 14 police dead in Pakistan

The operation saw frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones deployed.

A US contingent remained in Morocco after the war games ended on Friday to help continue search and rescue operations.

Lt Key's 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 in 2024 as an Air Defence Artillery officer.

He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.

African Lion 26 is a US-led military exercise is hosted by four countries - Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal - and includes more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations.

Since 2004, it has been the largest US joint military exercise in Africa.

In 2012, two US marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco's southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.

(c) Sky News 2026: Morocco: Remains of US soldier who fell off cliff found in ocean