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Local Marine Killed During Training Exercise Remembered

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Two Marine Corps officers killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Southern California desert were remembered Sunday as talented pilots.

Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield died from injuries in the crash Friday at the Twentynine Palms Marine base. They were the only two Marines aboard the UH-1Y Huey helicopter.

"From her earliest days she wanted to be an officer in the military," said retired Capt. William Balint.

Balint helped Kealey prepare for the naval academy. He says Kealey was a winner from the get go.

"There isn't any question in my mind had she stayed in the military, she'd of raised to general," Balint said.

"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."

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.

Both pilots were based at Camp Pendleton.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.
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(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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