(January 28) Two Marine Corps helicopter pilots lost their lives last week when the UH-1Y Huey they were in crashed during a training drill near Twentynine Palms.
Captain Elizabeth Kealey, 32, and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield, 25 were the sole crew members aboard the  3rd Marine Aircraft Wing helicopter when it crashed at 4:40 p.m. on Friday, January 23, according to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar officials.
Kealey and Satterfield were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif. The aircraft was conducting routine flight operations at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC).
Kealey, a native of Indiana, Pa., commissioned in the Marine Corps May 27, 2005. She served within Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 as a UH-1Y Huey helicopter pilot and weapons training instructor. Kealey deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Her personal awards included 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, 25, a native of Oldham, Ky., commissioned in the Marine Corps June 20, 2011. He served within Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 as a UH-1Y helicopter pilot and supported Marine Air-Ground Task Force training operations in the Southern California area.
“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. “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.”