The search and rescue operation is being carried out in southern Morocco after 2 US soldiers were reported missing off the southern coast of this North African country during annual exercises.
A US defense official informed that the 2 soldiers were last seen near the coastal cliffs near the Cap Draa Training Area. Initial reports suggest that the incident may have been an escalator accident and there are no signs of crime suspected. The accident is not related to the operation of the exercise.
Defense officials confirmed that both missing soldiers are US Army soldiers. The names of the soldiers and other details have not yet been released.
An unnamed US military official revealed that 2 soldiers walked in the evening at the training range and at least 1 person was believed to have fallen into the cliff and into the sea. Some other soldiers walking nearby tried to rescue but a large wave swept 1 or 2 of them into the sea. Initial reports show that the first person to fall was rescued but 2 others are still missing.
A defense official said that ground teams, aircraft and naval units of Morocco, the United States and other units participating in the African Lions exercise are participating in the search.
The search involved SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters from Morocco, 1 CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the US; surveillance drones from Morocco and the US; destroyers from the French and Moroccan navies; and Moroccan climbers and divers.
The African Lions exercise was suspended on May 3 when vehicles from the US and Morocco were deployed for search and rescue operations.
African Lions is the largest annual joint military exercise led by AFRICOM - one of the 11 unified combat commands of the US Department of War.
This exercise gathers thousands of soldiers from the US, African partner countries and NATO allies to train in modern warfare on land, in the air, at sea, online and in space.
This year's exercise involves more than 7,000 soldiers from more than 30 countries, with a large focus on advanced technologies, including drones, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.
The exercise takes place in a vast desert area where the Sahara desert meets the Atlantic Ocean near the Cap Draa training area, on the outskirts of Tan Tan city.
In 2012, 2 US Marines were killed and 2 others were injured in a helicopter accident while participating in the African Lions exercise.
