A Moroccan military search team recovered the body of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Va., along the shoreline near the Cap Draa Training Area at about 8:55 a.m. local time, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement. (U.S. Army Europe and Africa)
The body of one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Morocco last week was recovered Saturday, as U.S. and Moroccan forces continued a large-scale search for the second soldier, military officials said Sunday.
A Moroccan military search team recovered the body of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Va., along the shoreline near the Cap Draa Training Area at about 8:55 a.m. local time, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.
Key and another soldier disappeared May 2 after reportedly entering the ocean during African Lion 26, a multinational exercise led by U.S. Africa Command involving thousands of troops from more than 40 countries.
His body was found within about a mile of where the two soldiers were last seen entering the water, the USAREUR-AF statement said.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, part of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, based in Germany. He served as a platoon leader and Air Defense Artillery officer.
“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in the statement. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him.”
Search operations involving more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel remain underway for the second missing soldier, whose name has not been released. Ground teams, aircraft, unmanned systems and maritime assets have been deployed in the effort, according to USAREUR-AF.
USAREUR-AF Commander Gen. Christopher Donahue said Moroccan forces had provided extensive support during the operation.
“Our Moroccan hosts have provided every asset we’ve requested and incredible subject-matter expertise, from mountaineering and dive teams to UAS operators, aircraft and maritime assets,” Donahue said.
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard have also been involved in the search operation. Earlier this week, troops taking part in African Lion joined search teams combing beaches and coastal terrain near where the soldiers disappeared.
Key earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina before entering the Army in 2023 through Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery officer in 2024 and later completed training at Fort Sill, Okla.
He joined Charlie Battery in 2025.
Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, described Key as “a selfless, inspirational leader” devoted to the soldiers under his command.
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.
Moroccan forces transported Key’s remains to Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. Plans are underway to return his remains to the United States, Sunday’s statement said.
