Two Marine Corps officers died on Friday after their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Southern California desert. Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield suffered from fatal injuries after their UH-1Y Huey helicopter made a crash landing around 4:40 p.m. PT on Friday at the Twentynine Palms Marine base. Officials say that they were the only two Marines on the aircraft at the time.

"Capt. Kealey and 1st Lt. Satterfield were both outstanding Marine Corps officers and talented helicopter pilots," said their commanding officer Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, according to USA Today. "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."

According to the Associated Press, Kealey was a 32-year-old native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, who was commissioned in 2005. She served as a weapons training instructor and was also deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Her hard work earned her several awards, including 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 was a 25-year-old of Oldham, Kentucky. After being commissioned in 2011, he supported training operations in Southern California.

The pilots were based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. Officials are still reviewing the cause of the crash.

The official Twitter account of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, 3rd Marine Air Wing, sent out a tweet confirming that the Marines were with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco, Third Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, also released a statement.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident. We at Third Marine Aircraft Wing stand ready to provide support to their families," he said.

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