TAN-TAN, Morocco —
A Moroccan military search team recovered one of two U.S. Soldiers who went missing May 2, near the Cap Draa Training Area, during African Lion 26.

U.S. and Moroccan assets continue a large-scale effort to search for the remaining missing Soldier including ground, air and maritime assets.

A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean.

The Soldier was identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia. Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He served as a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer.

“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” said Brig. Gen Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “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.”

U.S. and Moroccan forces immediately concentrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, on the area where the Soldier was recovered, while continuing to monitor the broader search area. More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel have been involved in the search operations.

“While in Morocco, I was able to witness the professionalism and urgency of the combined search effort,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “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. We’re incredibly grateful for the efforts they, along with our teammates from across the services, continue to pour in as we search for our remaining Soldier.”

1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia, was a platoon leader assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration. He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Key joined Charlie Battery in 2025, where he was serving as a platoon leader.

During his time with Charlie Battery, Key was known for the care he showed for his Soldiers, his commitment to others, and the relationships he built across the formation.

“Kendrick embodied the highest standards of service as a selfless, inspirational leader whose unwavering dedication to his Soldiers and their development leaves an enduring legacy within our ranks,” said Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR.

“The 5-4 ADAR Family mourns the loss of an exceptional teammate, and our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the Key Family.”

Key’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

He is survived by his father, Kendrick Key Sr.; his mother, Jihan Key; his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill; and his brother-in-law, U.S. Army Spc. James Brown.

The Soldier’s next of kin have been notified.

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported the Soldier’s remains by helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital, Guelmim, Morocco. Plans are underway to repatriate the remains to the United States.

Search and rescue operations continue, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

“We are deeply grateful to our teammates across U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, and the industry partners participating in African Lion 26 whose resources and support have been critical to these search and rescue efforts,” said King.

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