2 US Service Members Missing During Exercise in Morocco

U.S. and Moroccan forces are conducting a coordinated search and rescue operation after two U.S. Army soldiers participating in training exercises in Morocco were reported missing and may have fallen into the ocean on May 2, officials said.

Authorities said the incident does not appear to be related to terrorism and is believed to be accidental. The search continues, with efforts focused on locating the missing personnel.

The soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs during scheduled training near the Cap Draa Training Area, outside the city of Tan Tan, Morocco. When they did not return as expected, U.S. and Moroccan personnel launched a joint search effort.

The multinational search operation includes ground teams, aircraft, and maritime assets from the Moroccan armed forces, U.S. armed forces, and other participants. Assets deployed include Moroccan SA 330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook, unmanned aerial systems, a U.S. logistics support vessel, and a Moroccan navy frigate.

Units involved in the search include elements of the 19th Special Forces Group, the Second Air Support Operations Squadron, the Third Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with multiple Moroccan units.

The incident occurred during African Lion 2026, a large-scale joint military exercise led by U.S. Africa Command in coordination with Moroccan forces and other international partners.

The multinational drills bring together dozens of countries and thousands of troops for coordinated training across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The drills are designed to strengthen coordination and interoperability among allied and partner militaries operating across the region.

Activities include live-fire drills, command-post exercises, air and ground operations, and humanitarian response training. U.S. officials say the goal is to improve readiness and ensure that participating forces can respond effectively to crises, including natural disasters, regional conflicts, and evolving security threats.

According to U.S. Africa Command, the Morocco portion of the exercise includes roughly 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries. Training takes place across multiple locations and includes a wide range of scenarios intended to simulate real-world operations.