Army Releases Identities of Four Soldiers Killed in Helicopter Crash

Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials have released the names of the four 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers killed in Monday night's crash of two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters inside the southwest training area at JBLM, in Thurston County.

Dead are:

· Captain Anne M. Montgomery, 25, an Army aviator and a native of North Dakota. She had served on active duty since August 2008, and arrived for duty at JBLM in December 2010.

Montgomery is a 2008 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and had not deployed overseas. Her awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

· Chief Warrant Officer Three Frank A. Buoniconti, 36, an Army aviator and a native of Colorado. Buoniconti had served on active duty since July 1994, and arrived for duty at JBLM in early November 2011.

Buoniconti was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2003, and since has had assignments at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. He deployed to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan twice. Buoniconti’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six awards), Army Commendation Medal (nine awards), and the Army Commendation Medal w/”V” device, the Army Senior Aviator Badge, and other awards and decorations.

· Chief Warrant Officer Three Joseph S. Satterfield, 32, an Army aviator and a native of Alaska. Satterfield had served on active duty since September 1997, and arrived for duty at JBLM in December 2009.

Satterfield was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2002, and since has had assignments in Korea and at Fort Campbell, Ky. He deployed to Iraq once, and to Afghanistan once. Satterfield’s awards include the Air Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (two awards), the Aviator Badge, and other awards and decorations.

· Chief Warrant Officer Two Lucas Daniel Sigfrid, 32, an Army aviator and a native of Alabama. Sigfrid had served on active duty since May 2008, and arrived for duty at JBLM in January 2011.

Sigfrid was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2008, and had not deployed overseas. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

Montgomery and Buoniconti and were assigned to A Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Satterfield and Sigfrid were assigned to C Troop, 4/6 ARS, 16th CAB.

An investigation into the cause of the accident has already begun by the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., who is the overall lead in the accident investigation. The circumstances of the crash will be determined by the investigation team. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. According to a base safety officer, the helicopters were on a routine night training flight.

“The Soldiers and Leadership at 16th Combat Aviation Brigade mourn the loss of our patriotic heroes," said Colonel Robert Dickerson, Commander, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of the aviators involved in this accident. We are conducting a thorough investigation to find the cause of this event and offer our utmost support to the families during this difficult time.”

(Information from Joint Base Lewis-McChord)