An investigation continues into a Monday evening crash of two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters in a remote Joint Base Lewis-McChord training area near the town of Rainier.

The incident claimed the lives of four Soldiers: Capt. Anne Montgomery, 25, of North Dakota; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Frank A. Buoniconti, 36, of Colorado; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shan J. Satterfield, 32, of Alaska; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucas Daniel Sigfrid, 32, an Alabama native.

Montgomery and Buoniconti 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. According to a base safety officer, the helicopters were on routine night training flights.

"The Soldiers and leadership at 16th Combat Aviation Brigade mourn the loss of our patriotic heroes," said Col. Robert Dickerson, 16th CAB commander. "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."

Dickerson said the brigade's priority is to rally around the Families of the fallen while the investigation is conducted.

A team from the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., arrived Tuesday night and began the investigation Wednesday. Rucker is home to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence.

The aviators represented a wealth of skills and experience. Montgomery had served on active duty since August 2008, and arrived at JBLM December 2010. Her awards include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Aviator Badge and National Defense Service Medal.

Buoniconti had served on active duty since July 1994, arriving at JBLM in early November. Commissioned as a warrant officer in 2003, he previously served at Fort Bragg, N.C. and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan twice each in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

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

Satterfield had served on active duty since September 1997, and arrived at JBLM in December 2009. He was commissioned as a warrant officer in 2002, and served previously in Korea and at Fort Campbell, Ky. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. His awards include the Air Medal (two), Army Commendation Medal (two), the Army Aviator Badge among others.

Sigfrid had served on active duty since May 2008, and arrived at JBLM in January. He was commissioned as a warrant officer in 2008, and his awards include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Aviator Badge and the National Defense Service Medal.

President Barack Obama offered condolences in a KIRO TV interview.

"We can only imagine the heartache that is going through those Families," Obama said.

Following its move from Fort Wainright, Alaska, the 16th CAB uncased its colors at JBLM Aug. 1. Already stationed at JBLM, 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron was re-designated 4-6 ARS, re-patched and became part of the 16th CAB.

Major General Lloyd Miles, commanding general of I Corps Rear, offered heartfelt sympathy on behalf of America's Corps. and pledged a comprehensive investigation.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Family, friends and loved ones of the Soldiers involved in this tragic accident," he said in a Monday night statement."

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