Two U.S. Service Members Missing During African Lion 2026 Exercise in Morocco

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. service members participating in the multinational African Lion 2026 military exercise were reported missing on May 2, 2026, near the Cap Draa Training Area in southwestern Morocco, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on Sunday.

The service members went missing near the coastal city of Tan Tan, close to the Atlantic Ocean, while taking part in the annual exercise. AFRICOM and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving ground teams, aircraft, and maritime assets from the United States, Morocco, and other partner nations participating in African Lion.

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint military exercise, designed to strengthen interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations. The 2026 iteration involved thousands of troops from multiple countries and focused on joint all-domain operations, crisis response, and regional security cooperation. The Cap Draa Training Area, located in a rugged coastal and semi-desert region, has hosted portions of the exercise in previous years.

AFRICOM stated that the incident remains under investigation and that the search is ongoing. No further details about the circumstances of the disappearance have been released, and officials have not indicated any suspicion of foul play. The identities of the missing service members have not been publicly disclosed to protect their privacy and support their families.

Moroccan and U.S. officials have emphasized that all available resources are being directed toward locating the two service members. Search efforts continue as of the latest updates on May 3.

The news comes as African Lion 2026 was underway in Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and other locations. The exercise is a key component of U.S. military engagement on the African continent and has been conducted annually for more than two decades.

For the families of the missing service members and the broader U.S. military community, the focus remains on the ongoing search-and-rescue mission. AFRICOM has asked anyone with information to come forward as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.