The body of one of two U.S. service members missing during African Lion 2026 training operations in Morocco has been recovered by the U.S. Army.

According to a military release, First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr., a native of Richmond, Virginia, was found on Saturday morning along the shoreline approximately one mile from where both soldiers went missing in the ocean near Morocco’s southern coast.

The incident occurred close to the Cap Draa Training Area when a soldier known to be unable to swim fell into the water. A second service member attempted a rescue but was struck by a wave and also disappeared.

Search efforts for the second missing soldier, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, continue with over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military personnel and civil authorities involved as of Sunday. The U.S. Army stated that the incident was not related to the annual training exercise.

Military officials reported that a representative from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command said: “We mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco.”

Additionally, the Army confirmed that a U.S. contingent remains in Morocco following the conclusion of the training exercises to conduct ongoing search and rescue operations.