Body of second missing U.S. soldier recovered in Morocco

The body of a second U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco has been recovered by American and Moroccan forces. The U.S. military confirmed Wednesday the recovery of the remains of Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington of Tavares, Florida, who was 19 years old at the time of her death.

Collington had gone missing along with another U.S. soldier, Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., during the multinational African Lion 2026 military exercise near Morocco's Cap Draa training area. According to military officials, both soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty hike. Key Jr.'s body had been recovered previously.

The recovery operation was conducted as a multinational search and rescue mission that deployed air, naval, and artificial intelligence assets from both countries. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) coordinated the efforts in collaboration with Morocco's Royal Armed Forces. The operation lasted several days and concluded with the successful recovery of both soldiers.

African Lion is an annual multinational military exercise designed to enhance military cooperation and readiness in the North African region. The 2026 exercise brought together U.S. and Moroccan forces along with other international partners to conduct joint training scenarios. The Cap Draa training area is located along Morocco's coast and provides diverse terrain for military exercises.

The incident occurred during a time when the soldiers were off duty. The exact circumstances of the fall are still being investigated, but initial reports suggest it was an accident during a recreational activity. The coastal region around Cap Draa is known for its steep cliffs and can be dangerous for hikers unfamiliar with the terrain.

The U.S. military has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. Both soldiers were part of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, which regularly participates in international exercises and cooperation missions. Military officials emphasized the close collaboration with Moroccan partners throughout the search and recovery operation.

The incident raises questions about safety protocols during military exercises, particularly during off-duty activities in unfamiliar terrain. While military training exercises inherently carry certain risks, accidents during recreational time are particularly tragic as they occur outside of official duty operations.

The African Lion exercise is expected to continue as planned, though additional safety measures for recreational activities may be reviewed. The exercise is an important component of U.S. security strategy in Africa and efforts to strengthen relationships with regional partners. The annual exercise typically involves thousands of personnel from multiple nations and focuses on interoperability and joint operations capabilities.

Both the U.S. and Moroccan militaries have praised the coordination and professionalism displayed during the search and rescue operation, highlighting the strong partnership between the two nations. The successful recovery operation, while tragic in its circumstances, demonstrated the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in crisis situations.