Two two Marines were identified who were lost when their UH-1Y Huey helicopter crashed on Friday. The two pilots were stationed at Camp Pendleton and the crash is still under investigation.
“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 in a Stripes article. “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.”
The article continues, “Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 2005 and had earned several awards and medals. She deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Kentucky, was commissioned in 2011 and supported training operations in Southern California.”
The initial crash news was previously released:
Military officials said two marines died on Friday when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in southern California. The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. local time after the aircraft took off from a marine combat center in the desert city of Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Major General Michael Rocco said “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident.” Twentynine Palms is a city of some 25,000 people roughly 140 miles east of Los Angeles.
