The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing has identified two Marine aviators who died in a Friday crash of a Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopter at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in 29 Palms, California, adoring to a Sunday release from the service.
UPDATE: #3rdMAW #Marines identified in California-based helicopter crash. Add'l info released. http://t.co/CgChHRR32c pic.twitter.com/ZGazZzwRWD
— MCAS Miramar, 3rdMAW (@MCASMiramarCA) January 25, 2015
Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Kealey, 32, was from Indiana, Pa. and commissioned into the service in 2005. Satterfield, 25 was from Oldham, Ky. And had been as Marine since 2011.
“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,” said Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, commanding officer of HMLA-169. “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.”
Both died as a result of their injuries from the crash during routine flight operations, according to the service.
The incident is under investigation.
The UH-1Y Venom is based on the iconic UH-1 Iroquois helicopter made famous during the Vietnam War. The Marines have used the Venom variants operationally since 2009.
