Marines Helicopter Crash - Two Marine officers, based in Camp Pendleton, were killed during a training exercise on Friday when their helicopter crashed in Southern California.
Military reports indicate that Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield were the only officers aboard the UH-1Y Huey helicopter when it crashed at the Twentynine Palms Marine base around 4:40 p.m.
32-year-old Capt. Kealey of Indiana, Pennsylvania and 25-year-old 1st Lt. Satterfield, of Oldham, Kentucky are reported to have died of injuries sustained in the crash.
According to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing public affairs office, Kealey and Satterfield were assigned to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadeon 169, which is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. They were reportedly conducting routine flight operations when the tragic crash occurred.
"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," their commanding officer Lt. Col. James M. Isaac's said.
"Capt. Kealey and 1st Lt. Satterfield were both outstanding Marine Corps officers and talented helicopter pilots. I was fortunate to have the distinct honor of serving as their commanding officer."
Capt. Kealey, who was commissioned in 2005, has been honored with several medals and awards for her bravery and service - including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and the Air Medal with three Strike/Flight awards.
She served in Afghanistan after been deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Lt. Satterfield, a helicopter pilot, was commissioned in 2011 and has supported several Marine Air-Ground Task Force training operations in Southern California.
The cause of the Marine helicopter crash is still under investigation.
