The U.S. Army has confirmed the recovery of the remains of a second soldier who went missing during a multinational military exercise in Morocco, bringing a somber conclusion to a wide-ranging search operation. The recovery follows the earlier discovery of a fellow service member, both of whom were lost during an off-duty excursion.
The soldier has been identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida. According to a statement from U.S. Military Europe and Africa, the remains of U.S. Soldiers recovered in Morocco were found after a multinational effort that utilized naval, air, and artificial intelligence assets to locate the missing personnel.
Collington and another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were reported missing on May 2, 2026. The two service members had been participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco, when they fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike. Their remains are currently en route to the United States.
Recovery of Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces facilitated the recovery of Spc. Collington’s remains, transporting them via helicopter to the morgue of the Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco, as detailed by U.S. Army reports. Collington served as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, under the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Collington’s military career began in 2023 when she entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program, eventually transitioning to active-duty service in 2024. She completed her Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. In February 2025, she reported to her unit in Ansbach, Germany, and had recently been promoted to the rank of specialist on May 1, 2026. Her decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.
The Loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.
The recovery of Spc. Collington follows the discovery of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia. Lt. Key, a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, was also assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. His body was located by a Moroccan military search team on May 9, 2026, at approximately 8:55 a.m. Local time, roughly one mile from the location where the soldiers were first reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, according to USA Today.
Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, expressed the unit’s grief in an official statement: “Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco. Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family is grieving, and we will continue to support one another and 1st Lt. Key’s Family as we honor his life, and service.”
Lt. Key held a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he also completed minors in business administration, entrepreneurship, and international business.
African Lion Exercise and Search Operations
The tragedy occurred during the African Lion exercise, a cornerstone of U.S. And Moroccan military cooperation. This annual multinational event is designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen security ties between the United States and its partners in Africa. While the soldiers were in the region for these official duties, the incident occurred during their personal time.
The search for the two soldiers was a complex, multinational effort. Because of the rugged terrain and the circumstances of the fall, the operation deployed a diverse array of resources, including naval vessels, aircraft, and artificial intelligence assets to scan the landscape and shoreline. The recovery of both soldiers marks the end of the active search phase in the region.
Timeline of Events
| Date (2026) | Event |
|---|---|
| May 1 | Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington promoted to Specialist. |
| May 2 | Soldiers reported missing after an off-duty hike near Cap Draa Training Area. |
| May 9 | Remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. Recovered. |
| May 13 | Remains of Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington recovered. |
Investigation and Next Steps
While the remains have been recovered and are being returned to the United States, the specific circumstances leading to the fall remain unclear. A spokesperson for the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, confirmed to the Associated Press that the incident is still under investigation.
The loss of two members from the same battery—Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment—represents a significant blow to the unit. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command continues to provide support to the families of the deceased as they navigate the repatriation process.
The next confirmed step in this process is the arrival of the remains in the United States, where official military honors and funeral arrangements will be coordinated for the families of Spc. Collington and 1st Lt. Key.
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