Former United States Merchant Marina Academy rugby player Adam Satterfield was one of two US Marines killed Friday in a helicopter crash during a training exercise.

Satterfield was a standout lock forward for Kings Point, graduating from the Academy in 2011.

The 25-year-old US Marine Corps Lieutenant was piloting the UH-1Y Huey along with 32-year-old Capt. Elizabeth Kealey, 32, when the aircraft crashed near Twentynine Palms, Calif. Friday afternoon.

Kealey had been in the Marine Corps since May 2005 and served as a helicopter pilot and weapons training instructor.  She had been deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. She had been awarded 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 commissioned in the Marine Corps in June, 2011 after graduating from Kings Point.  He served within HMLA-169 as a UH-1Y helicopter pilot and supported Marine Air-Ground Task Force training operations in the Southern California area.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident,” said 3rd MAW Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco.  “We at 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stand ready to provide support to their families.”