missing U.S. – The U.S. military recovered the second missing soldier, Spc. Mariyah Collington, in Morocco after search efforts during African Lion.
A second U.S. soldier reported missing during a training exercise in Morocco has been recovered, the U.S. military announced Wednesday, closing a search that began earlier this month and drew on both American and Moroccan capabilities.
The U.S.. military said the body of Spc.. Mariyah Collington was recovered. confirming that the effort had reached its end after days of difficult conditions along Morocco’s southern coast.. The announcement came from U.S.. Africa Command and the U.S.. Army Southern European Task Force. Africa in a joint statement that mourned the loss and expressed support for Collington’s family and her unit community.
Collington, 19, disappeared on May 2 along with 1st Lt.. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.. 27. in waters off Morocco’s southern coast near the Cap Draa Training Area. according to the Army.. Key’s body was recovered on May 9. and the recovery of Collington’s remains followed once investigators and search teams were able to reach the relevant location.
The Army said Collington’s body was found Tuesday in a coastal cave roughly 500 meters from where the two soldiers went into the water.. Officials cited the challenging ocean conditions. the surrounding coastal terrain. and the cave’s accessibility as factors that complicated the search and recovery operations throughout the effort.
Her remains were transported by helicopter by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco, the Army said. The bodies of both missing soldiers were then being taken back to the United States by the Air Force.
The recovery announcement also highlighted the multinational nature of the response.. U.S.. Africa Command and the task force said the search reflected how combined operations can work “at their best. ” pointing to contributions from U.S.. personnel and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. which provided ground. air. and maritime resources as well as sustained support throughout the effort.
The training taking place at the time was known as African Lion, an annual exercise in which thousands of troops participate. Defense officials previously said the soldiers’ disappearance did not occur during the training itself, but during a separate moment involving other planned activities.
According to earlier reporting by defense officials. a preliminary account described the soldiers as part of a group that went on a hike to watch the sunset.. The account said a soldier who couldn’t swim fell into the water. and that the second missing soldier. Collington. jumped in to attempt a rescue.. Officials said a wave struck her, and other service members attempted to rescue both soldiers without success.
Collington was from Tavares. Florida. and served as an air and missile defense crew member with Charlie Battery. 5th Battalion. 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. the Army said.. Her unit and commanders described her as a positive presence within the formation.
Brig.. Gen.. Curtis King. commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. said the recovery closed the search for the two missing soldiers. while emphasizing that their responsibilities to care for families. friends. and teammates would continue.. He thanked U.S.. and Moroccan forces for their professionalism and support during the search.
Capt.. Spencer Grider. commander of Charlie Battery. 5-4 ADAR. said Collington was an “outstanding Soldier” and described her enthusiasm and positive spirit.. He said her warmth and sense of humor helped build connections and camaraderie across different settings. and that her presence would be greatly missed.
The Army said the search for both soldiers involved more than 1,000 U.S.. and Moroccan military and civil personnel.. Officials reported that the search covered more than 8. 200 square miles using a wide range of tools. including drones. helicopters. fixed-wing aircraft. boats. dive teams. mountaineering units. and ground search elements.
Beyond the operational details. the case underscores how quickly a training-related event can shift from preparation to emergency response when conditions change and water hazards are involved.. In coastal and cave environments. even well-resourced teams can face delays when access is constrained and conditions deteriorate. which officials have pointed to in explaining why the search took days and required multiple phases.
It also places the spotlight on the practical value of long-running partnerships during high-risk operations.. With African Lion bringing service members together across borders. the response drew on Moroccan military capabilities for logistics and search support. while the U.S.. effort coordinated large-scale assets and personnel, reflecting how joint work can matter most when immediate recovery becomes the priority.
For the families of the two missing soldiers, Wednesday’s announcement marks the end of uncertainty about Collington’s status.. For the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command community. the message from commanders centered on continuing support. even as the search for the missing was reported as complete.
Morocco training accident missing U.S. soldier African Lion exercise AFRICOM U.S. Army recovery
why are we even doing training over there
This is so heartbreaking she was only 19 years old. My heart goes out to her family honestly nobody talks about how dangerous these training exercises actually are, people just assume its all safe because its not a war zone but clearly it isnt.
I read they were missing for like weeks and nobody said anything until now which is honestly suspicious to me. The military always hides stuff like this and then they wait until they have no choice and release it. Both soldiers gone at the same time too that doesnt just happen from a training accident something else had to of went wrong and they arent telling us the full story. I feel bad for the families but they deserve to know the truth not just some press release.
Wait I thought this was the one they already found last week? So there was TWO of them missing this whole time? I only heard about the first one on the news I had no idea there was a second soldier. The media really doesnt cover everything they should and now this poor girl is gone and most people probably didnt even know she was missing in the first place. Rest in peace to both of them seriously.