The two soldiers were reported missing May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco. S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa told The Associated Press that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike, according to multiple reports, though other accounts indicate they disappeared after reportedly entering the ocean. The exact cause of death has not been determined. S.
and Moroccan military and civilian personnel, a SETAF-AF spokesperson added. S. S.
Coast Guard drift modeling capabilities, according to the spokesperson. S. Navy and Coast Guard involved.
Troops taking part in African Lion joined search teams combing beaches and coastal terrain. S. Army Europe and Africa.
She served as an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the command said. She entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 and began active-duty service in 2024, according to her service record. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember.
She reported to Charlie Battery in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist on May 1, 2026. Her awards include the Army Service Ribbon. Key, a platoon leader and Air Defense Artillery officer, was assigned to the same unit, according to the Army.
He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina, entered the Army in 2023 through Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned in 2024. He completed training at Fort Sill and joined Charlie Battery in 2025. Key is survived by his parents, Kendrick Key Sr.
and Jihan Key, his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill, and his brother-in-law, Army Spc. James Brown. Brig.
Gen. Curtis King, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said, "We mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.
" Lt. Col. m.
S. Army Europe and Africa statement. His body was found within about a mile of where the two soldiers were last seen entering the water.
Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported Collington's remains by a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco, the statement said. Plans are underway to return Key's remains to the United States, and Collington's remains are also en route. Gen.
-led exercise launched in April across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. S. joint military exercise in Africa.
S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Agadir, Morocco, while taking part in the exercises.