Two US service members go missing during Morocco military exercise
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- Two US service members went missing Saturday night near Cap Draa training area, southwestern Morocco
AFIRCOM launched coordinated rescue operation. - Disappearance occurred during African Lion 2026, largest annual US military exercise in Africa.
Two US service members go missing while participating in an annual African lion military exercise in Morocco. prompting an immediate search and rescue operation involving America, Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The US, Moroccan, and other partner forces launched a coordinated search and rescue operation, including ground, air, and maritime assets, after the service members were reported missing.
The incident remains under investigation, and the search is ongoing.
What is "African Lion"
African Lion has been running since 2004; it is the largest US annual joint military exercise in Africa. It usually features high-ranking military officials from the US and its top African allies, including Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise is set to end in early May.
The Cap Draa training area in Tan Tan is set as one of the primary sites for ground and coastal exercises
Previous incidents
This is not the first time incidents have occurred during African Lion. In 2012, two US Marines were killed, and two were injured after a helicopter crash in Morocco's southern city of Agadir while participating in African Lion.
