Obituaries
Camp Pendleton Marines in Helicopter Crash Identified
Capt. Elizabeth Kealey, 32, and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield, 25, died last week in in a helicopter crash while training in Twentynine Palms.
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The two Camp Pendleton Marine officers killed in a helicopter crash while training in Twentynine Palms late last week were publicly identified today.
Capt. Elizabeth Kealey, 32, and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield, 25, died from injuries sustained when a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing UH-1Y Huey helicopter crashed while conducting routine flight operations around 4:40 p.m. Friday, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing public affairs office. They were the only two aboard the aircraft.
Kealey is from of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Satterfield is an Oldham, Kentucky native. They were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.
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“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,” Commanding Officer Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs of HMLA-169 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.”
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Kealey, a Marine since 2005, served as a UH-1Y Huey helicopter pilot and weapons training instructor. She deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once to Afghanistan, according to the 3rd MAW.
She was awarded 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, a helicopter pilot, commissioned into the Marine Corps in 2011. Military officials said he also worked to support Marine Air-Ground Task Force training operations in Southern California.
“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident,” said 3rd MAW Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco. “We at 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stand ready to provide support to their families.”
Military authorities said the crash remained under investigation.
- City News Service
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