A trip meant for friendship and training ended in a double tragedy that has shaken the U.S. military. What started as a simple walk to see the sights became a fight for life against the power of the ocean.
WHAT HAPPENED
The U.S. Army confirmed on Wednesday that they found the body of Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, who was only 19 years old. She and First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. went missing on May 2 while on a hike in Morocco.
The two soldiers were there for "African Lion," a large military drill. During a break, they went for a hike near the cliffs of Cap Draa. Reports say one soldier fell from a cliff into the rough water, and the other jumped in to save them.
The search lasted 11 days and involved over 1,000 people from the U.S. and Morocco. Lieutenant Key’s body was found last week, and Specialist Collington was found three days later in a coastal cave.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
- 11 days of searching by air, sea, and land.
- 1,000 people joined the effort to find the missing pair.
- 19 years old was the age of the youngest soldier lost.
- 8,200 square miles were covered during the rescue mission.
- 2 lives were lost during a break from training.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
How does a group of trained soldiers lose two of their own during a simple hike? While the military spends millions on safety during drills, we have to ask if enough is done to protect them during their downtime in strange lands.
We should be asking if the risks of the local terrain were made clear to the troops. These young people are experts in war, but the ocean does not care about rank or training.
THE OTHER SIDE
The military says this was a tragic accident caused by "extreme" water and rocky ground. They believe the soldiers were simply enjoying their free time and that no one was at fault for the fall.
Based on what we know, this seems like a case of a brave soldier trying to save a friend in a split second. The argument that it was an unavoidable accident is strong, but the final investigation will tell the full story.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The search is over, and the bodies of both soldiers are being flown back to the United States. Their families in Florida and Virginia are now preparing for funerals instead of a homecoming.
The Army is looking into the incident to see if they need new rules for hikes during these missions. For now, the "African Lion" drills will carry a heavy shadow of loss.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Which soldier fell first and sparked the rescue attempt?
- Were there any signs or guards to warn the group about the cliff edge?
- Will the Army stop allowing hikes in this area for future troops?