The remains of a U.S. soldier who was reported missing on May 2 during military training exercises in Morocco has been recovered, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa said on May 10.

The military identified the soldier as First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia, a platoon leader serving as a 14A air defense artillery officer.

He was reported missing along with another soldier near the Cap Draa Training Area in Morocco on May 2 during the annual “Africa Lion” multinational military exercise.

Moroccan searchers discovered his body in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time on May 9, roughly a mile from the site where the two soldiers went missing, the U.S. Army said.

The search operation for the second missing soldier is still ongoing, involving more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel. U.S. and Moroccan forces deployed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets in the area where Key was located.

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

“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.”

The U.S. Army said that Key’s next of kin has been notified of the recovery of his remains. The soldier is survived by his father, mother, sister, and brother-in-law, according to the military.

According to the U.S. Army, Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, Fifth Battalion, Fourth Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina and entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate.

Key joined Charlie Battery in 2025 and was serving as a platoon leader. The Army said Key was known “for the care he showed for his soldiers, his commitment to others, and the relationships he built across the formation.” His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

“The 5-4 ADAR Family mourns the loss of an exceptional teammate, and our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the Key Family,” Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of Fifth Battalion, Fourth Air Defense Artillery Regiment, said.

The Army did not provide details about how the two soldiers went missing during the training exercise in Morocco.

African Lion 26 is a U.S.-led annual joint military exercise hosted across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. The exercise took place from April 20 to May 8, and more than 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations participated.