Army identifies soldiers killed in Kiowa crash - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Army identifies soldiers killed in Kiowa crash

The Army on Wednesday identified the four aviators killed when their OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed during a training exercise Monday night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Wash.

An investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred inside the southwest training area at Lewis-McChord, is underway. The investigation is led by the Combat Readiness Center of Fort Rucker, Ala.

The two Kiowas, which are two-seat reconnaissance helicopters, crashed after 8 p.m. Monday during a routine night training flight. It is unclear if the aircraft collided or crashed separately. Debris from the crash scattered across a wide area, most of it spreading across a 300-meter area.

The four soldiers belonged to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.

They were:

• Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, 25: A native of North Dakota, Montgomery had been on active duty since August 2008 and arrived at Lewis-McChord in December 2010. She was a 2008 West Point graduate and had not deployed overseas. Montgomery’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Aviator Badge.

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Frank A. Buoniconti, 36: Buoniconti, from Colorado, had served four combat tours, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He had served on active duty since July 1994, receiving his warrant officer appointment in 2003. He served at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., before arriving at Lewis-McChord in November.

Buoniconti’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six awards), Army Commendation Medal (nine awards), the Army Commendation Medal with V device, the Army Senior Aviator Badge and other awards and decorations.

On Tuesday, Buoniconti’s parents confirmed that their son had been one of the four soldiers killed. Buoniconti was married and had four children.

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shan Joseph Satterfield, 32: Satterfield was from Alaska and had served on active duty since September 1997. He received his warrant officer appointment in 2002 and served in Korea and Fort Campbell, Ky., before arriving at Lewis-McChord in December 2009.

Satterfield had deployed twice — once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. His awards include the Air Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Aviator Badge.

• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucas Daniel Sigfrid, 32: A native of Alabama, Sigfrid had served on active duty since May 2008, arriving at Lewis-McChord in January.

Sigfrid, who was appointed a warrant officer in 2008, had not deployed overseas. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Aviator Badge.

Montgomery and Buoniconti were assigned to A Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Satterfield and Sigfrid belonged to the squadron’s C Troop.