African Lion 2026: 2 US service members missing in Morocco

Two U.S. service members participating in a war games exercise were reported missing this weekend in Morocco.

Here’s what’s known:

What we know:

The U.S. African Command said two service members were reported missing near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, on Saturday, May 2. 

The service members were participating in African Lion 2026. 

Their disappearance is being investigated, and a search has been launched, including ground, air and maritime assets. 

What we don’t know:

The command did not state what unit or branch of the military the missing service members belong to.

Their identities were also not given. 

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What is the African Lion exercise? 

Big picture view:

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO Allies and African partner nations.

The war games started in April and run across four countries, including Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. They began in Tunisia with active-duty members of different branches of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and the Marine Corps.

They’re scheduled to end in early May. 

The backstory:

It’s been running since 2004, and is the largest U.S. annual joint military exercise on the continent. Usually high-ranking military officials from the U.S. and African allies are involved. 

Exercises can include command posts, field trainings, live-fire demonstrations and humanitarian civic assistance program events, according to AFRICOM. 

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By the numbers:

In all, over 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations are participating across the four host countries.

Previously:

In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in African Lion.

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