2 Marines killed in Calif. helicopter crash identified

Posted 2015-01-27 11:29 by Grunt Report with 0 comments

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Two Marine Corps officers killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Southern California desert were remembered Sunday as talented pilots.

Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield died from injuries in the crash Friday at the Twentynine Palms Marine base. They were the only two Marines aboard the UH-1Y Huey helicopter.

“Capt. Kealey and 1st Lt. Satterfield were both outstanding Marine Corps officers and talented helicopter pilots,” said Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, their commanding officer. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen Vipers, and we stand poised to support them in this tragedy.”

Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pa., was commissioned in 2005 and has served as a weapons training instructor. She deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Her personal awards include the Air Medal with three Strike/Flight awards and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.

Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Ky., was commissioned in 2011 and supported training operations in Southern California.

The pilots were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169 and based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

According to the official Twitter account of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, 3rd Marine Air Wing, the Marines were with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing.

The crash occurred around 4:40 p.m. PT on Friday.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident,” Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco, Third Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, said in a statement. “We at Third Marine Aircraft Wing stand ready to provide support to their families.

The crash is believed to be the first training death at the combat center in almost two years.

On March 11, 2013, Pfc. Casey James Holmes, 20, of Chico, Calif., was crushed by a bulldozer as he slept in a shallow, hand-dug foxhole, during training exercises at the base, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service reported.

Contributing: The Associated Press.