Two U.S. service members, part of the African Lion 2026 multinational military exercise, were reported missing on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, adjacent to Tan Tan in Morocco.
This incident unfolded approximately 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in a rugged area that combines mountains with desert terrain. An official statement from United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed these details on Sunday morning.
In the statement, AFRICOM noted, “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. U.S., Moroccan, and other assets from African Lion promptly initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, using ground, air, and maritime resources.” The statement underscored that the situation remains under investigation, emphasizing care for the service members and their families.
This ongoing search and rescue mission involves U.S. personnel, Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and other allied nations engaged in the exercise. According to AFRICOM, resources from the current African Lion drills were quickly reallocated to bolster the search efforts.
African Lion represents the U.S. military’s largest annual exercise on the continent. Commencing in late April, the 2026 edition is set to continue through early May, spanning multiple nations including Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. It features over 7,000 personnel from more than 30 countries, with approximately 5,000 participants involved in activities within Morocco alone.
The exercises unite active-duty members from various branches of the U.S. military including the Army, National Guard, Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as forces from partnering countries.
No specific information regarding the names or ranks of the missing service members has been disclosed publicly. AFRICOM has not shared additional details about their service branches or the circumstances at the time of their disappearance. The Moroccan military indicated that the service members were last seen around 9 p.m. local time on May 2 near the training site.
As of Sunday morning, search operations continue actively, with no new updates on the missing personnel. AFRICOM reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that supporting the service members and their families remains the command’s top priority.
