Here’s the latest on the topic you asked about.
Answer
- As of mid-May 2026, the remains of two U.S. soldiers who went missing during Africa Lion 2026 training exercises in Morocco were recovered. The second soldier was identified as Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, from Florida, and the first soldier was 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. The remains were transported to a Moroccan hospital for processing and were en route to the United States for repatriation. This completes the multinational search and shifts focus to recovery and repatriation efforts. [Sources: multiple outlets covering the announcement, including The New York Times reporting on the earlier recovery of Lt. Key and the U.S. Army’s confirmation of both remains accounted for.]
Entity overview
- Individuals:
- 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, from Richmond, Virginia. Recovered May 9 and repatriated.
- Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, from Tavares, Florida, an air and missile defense crewmember. Recovered May 12–13 and repatriated.
- Event context:
- Africa Lion 2026, a multinational training exercise in Morocco near Cap Draa, involving U.S. and partner forces. Two U.S. soldiers went missing after a cliff-edge incident during a recreational hike; both were later found deceased.
What happened
- Search and recovery operations were conducted by U.S. and Moroccan forces with international partners, including aerial, maritime, and ground components. The search concluded with the recovery of both remains, enabling the repatriation process to begin. This marked the end of the multinational search for these two personnel.
Why it matters
- This incident highlights the risks involved in large multinational training exercises conducted in diverse terrains, including coastal cliff areas. It also underscores ongoing coordination between U.S. and Moroccan authorities for casualty handling and repatriation.
Would you like a concise timeline with dates and locations, or a brief comparison of how each service member’s case was handled (recovery date, where remains were found, repatriation steps)? I can also pull a short, ready-to-share briefing note if you plan to discuss this with colleagues or on social media.
Sources
The U.S. military says the remains of the second U.S. Army soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered. SPC. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida, is the second U.S. soldier who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco. She was 19 years old. Collington served as an air and missile defense crewmember and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command,...
www.ajc.comThe search continues for a second U.S. soldier. Officials say both fell off a cliff during a hike.
www.inquirer.comA search team has successfully located the body of a U.S. soldier who had been missing since early May during a training exercise in Cap Draa, Morocco. The
news.ssbcrack.comA search and rescue team has recovered the body of a second US service member who went missing near a cliff during a training exercise near Cap Draa, Morocco
www.newarab.comThe remains of the first soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were recovered Saturday.
foxbaltimore.comThe U.S. military says the remains of the second U.S. Army soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered Remains of 2nd US Soldier Who Went Missing During Exercises in Morocco Have Been Recovered.
www.latestly.comThe soldier was identified as 19-year-old Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Tavares, Florida.
www.wsoctv.comThe U.S. military said Sunday that the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old Army officer who went missing during military exercises in Morocco, have been recovered.
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