A search is underway after two U.S. military personnel went missing in Morocco during a joint exercise.
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced a search-and-rescue operation Sunday for the two service members, who were last seen near a training area being used during the military’s African Lion exercise. The release from AFRICOM noted air, land, and maritime assets were tasked in the rescue operation.
Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026.https://t.co/7zxpKQRHfB
— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) May 3, 2026
“Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026,” AFRICOM said. “U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets.”
“The incident remains under investigation and the search is on-going,” AFRICOM continued. “Our focus is on the service members involved and their families. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”
A defense official later told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) the incident is not terrorism-related.
“The Soldiers [sic] were last seen near ocean cliffs in the vicinity of the Cap Draa Training Area during scheduled training. When they did not return as expected, U.S. and Moroccan personnel immediately initiated a joint search effort,” the official said. “Initial reports indicate the two Soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.”
Moroccan and U.S. helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, ships, and personnel are assisting in the search. The 19th Special Forces Group, the 173rd Airborne Brigade and multiple Moroccan units are also among the units searching for the missing personnel.
African Lion is an annual multinational, joint, all-domain exercise designed to strengthen interoperability, build readiness for crisis response, and enhance collective security capabilities among the U.S., African partner nations, NATO allies and other international participants, according to AFRICOM’s website. Nearly 6,000 troops from dozens of countries are involved in this year’s exercise.
The exercise takes place in multiple countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Ghana.
This article was updated with comments and addtional information provided by AFRICOM in a statement to the DCNF.
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