The investigation on the aircraft that crashed on Friday, which then carried unidentified passengers, has yielded results that revealed the identities of the victims involved in the tragic incident.
In the official statement released by the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in their website on Sunday, it was confirmed that the passengers who passed away due to the said crash were marine officers.
The aircraft, which was determined to be a Third Marine Aircraft Wing UH-1Y chopper, otherwise known as UH-1Y Huey helicopter, carried the late Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield. The incident occurred at roughly 4:40 PM. Only Kealey and Satterfield were on board the chopper at that time.
The marine officers were reported to be holding a training session in adherence to the routine flight operations when their helicopter met its tragic fate at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in Southern California.
Both Kealey and Satterfield were part of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169. The squad is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in California. Hospital records indicated that the two victims succumbed to the injuries they incurred from the fatal aircraft crash.
"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," shared Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, the commanding officer of HMLA-169, in the press release.
"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," he added.
The 32-year-old marine officer, Kealey, was a weapons training instructor and UN-1Y Huey helicopter pilot. She became part of the Marine Corps on My 27, 2005, and was deployed two times with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. She also served as part of the Operation Enduring Freedom campaign in Afghanistan.
Kealey, who was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, received the Air Medal with three Strike/Flight awards and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement.
Meanwhile, Satterfield was 25 when he passed away. He joined the Marine Corps on June 20, 2011, and served as a pilot like Kealey. He was also included in the training operation for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force held in Southern California. Satterfield originally hailed from Oldham, Kentucky.
"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident," shared Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco, the 3rd MAW Commanding General. "We at 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stand ready to provide support to their families," the officer added.
