Two U.S. service members participating in the African Lion 2026 exercise have been reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, close to the city of Tan Tan in Morocco, according to U.S. Africa Command. The incident occurred on May 2, 2026, and prompted an immediate multinational search and rescue response involving U.S., Moroccan, and other participating forces.
U.S. Africa Command stated that the service members were engaged in activities tied to the annual African Lion exercise when they were reported missing in the vicinity of the training area. The location sits within a broader operational environment used for multinational training activities across Morocco.
Following the report, coordinated search and rescue operations were launched without delay. According to AFRICOM, “U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets.”
The search effort has continued across multiple domains, reflecting the complexity of the terrain and the operational reach of the exercise. Ground teams, aerial surveillance assets, and maritime units have all been deployed in an effort to locate the missing personnel.
The incident remains under investigation, and officials have not released additional confirmed details regarding the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. AFRICOM emphasized that the search remains ongoing as authorities continue coordinated operations in the area.
A statement from U.S. Africa Command also underscored the priority placed on the personnel involved, noting that the focus remains on the missing service members and their families as the situation develops.
According to a U.S. official who spoke to ABC News, both missing service members are U.S. Army soldiers. The official said the pair were on a hike during the exercise when they are believed to have fallen from a cliff into the ocean, though this detail has not been officially confirmed by AFRICOM.
The same official told ABC News there is currently no indication of foul play in the incident. However, military investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances as part of the ongoing review.
In addition to U.S. and Moroccan military resources, other specialized assets have reportedly been contributing to the search effort. These include helicopters, drones, and naval vessels, as well as Moroccan mountain rescue personnel and divers assisting in the operation.
African Lion is described by U.S. Africa Command as its largest and premier annual exercise, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise brings together joint, all-domain, multinational forces with the aim of strengthening interoperability and readiness for crisis response.
According to AFRICOM, African Lion involves more than 10,000 participants from over twenty nations, including contingents from NATO allies and partner nations. The exercise is designed to simulate a range of operational environments and enhance coordination among participating militaries.
The training event typically includes command post exercises, field training operations, live-fire demonstrations, and humanitarian civic assistance missions. These components are intended to improve both combat readiness and cooperative response capabilities across participating forces.
As search and rescue efforts continue in Morocco, officials have stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available. AFRICOM has also directed inquiries regarding the incident to its public affairs office as the investigation and recovery operation remain active.