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Rabat – US Air Force members, along with Moroccan mountaineers and Civil Protection teams, recovered the second of the two US soldiers who went missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area.
Search and rescue operations concluded after joint efforts recovered the bodies of the two soldiers who went missing in Morocco on the sidelines of African Lion, the largest military maneuver in Africa.
The US military identified the recovered soldier as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington.
The soldier, 19, was from Florida and served as an air and missile defense crew member.
US Army Europe and Africa quoted Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, who mourned the loss of Collington.
King said the loss is a “profound loss for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.”
“Her recovery closes the search for our two missing Soldiers, but our commitment to caring for their Families, friends, and teammates continues. We are grateful to the U.S. and Moroccan forces for their professionalism and support throughout the search efforts,” King added.
The US Army commended Morocco’s tremendous efforts in the search operation.
More than 1,000 US and Moroccan military and civil personnel were deployed to search for the two soldiers, who went missing on May 2. The search covered more than 21,300 square kilometers across sea and littoral zones.
“I can’t say enough about the extraordinary efforts of the Moroccan government, our sister services, and Allies,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General, US Army Europe and Africa.
“They were with us during a difficult time – tireless, determined, and compassionate – to aid in the search for our two missing Soldiers.”
“Their commitment never wavered, and their willingness to do whatever it took to bring our soldiers home to their families speaks volumes about the strength of our partnership and the character of those who serve,” the army official said.
Last week, the Moroccan army, together with US forces, also announced they recovered the body of Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., who was found on May 9 after intensive land, sea, and air search operations involving the FAR and Civil Protection teams.
The body was transported by helicopter to the military hospital in Guelmim before being repatriated.
The two soldiers disappeared on May 2 near cliffs in the Cap Draa training area close to Tan-Tan. Early reports said that the soldiers had fallen into the Atlantic Ocean while off duty, during a recreational hike after training activities had ended.
