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Two U.S. Soldiers Die After Falling From Cliff in Morocco Training Exercise
Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, and 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. went missing May 2 after an off-duty hike in Morocco while participating in African Lion 26. A multinational search involving more than 1,000 personnel and advanced assets ended with the recovery of both sets of remains, which are now en route to the United States. The U.S. Army announced the findings on May 13, 2026.
May 13, 7:01 PM·2m read4 sources
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The remains of Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington and 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. U.S. Army said Wednesday. The announcement on May 13, 2026, came days after the military reported the recovery of 1st Lt.
Key's remains. Both soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. Spc. She served as an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Her remains were transported by Royal Moroccan Armed Forces via a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. The two soldiers were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion. U.S.
And Moroccan military and civilian personnel. The multinational search operation has now ended. U.S.
Coast Guard drift modeling capabilities. The search operation also deployed air, naval and artificial intelligence assets. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa told The Associated Press that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The remains of Spc. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. are en route to the United States. Spc. Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023. She began active-duty service in 2024 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember.
She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025. Spc. Collington was promoted to specialist on May 1, 2026. Her awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.
1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. was a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer whose remains were recovered days before May 13, 2026. -led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal.
