Join Riley and Luke as they sit down with Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Cooper. CW4 Cooper is a native of Hickory, North Carolina. He is the son of Deborah and Clifford Cooper. He followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps enlisting in the Army on August 13, 1997, as an aircraft electrician. CW4 Cooper's initial entry training included basic training, the aircraft electrician course, and Airborne school. He was then assigned to 2/82 AVN 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed with the 82nd to Afghanistan in 2002. In 2003, CW4 Cooper reclassified to Psychological Operations, attended the Special Operation Language Training for Persian Farsi and then assessed for the Psychological Operations Ranger Detachment. While in the Ranger Detachment, Mike served as a team leader and assistant detachment Sergeant. He deployed twice with Ranger Regt., once in 2004 and again in 2005. During this last deployment, Mike realized the impact he could have on mission success as a helicopter pilot. Shortly after returning from OEF in January 2006, Mike applied to Warrant Officer Flight Training. CW4 Cooper graduated from Warrant Officer Flight Training at Ft. Rucker AL. in 2008 as a UH60A/L pilot. He was assigned to 4-101, 159th CAB at Ft. Campbell, KY. where he qualified in the UH60M. CW4 Cooper deployed two more times with 4-101 to Afghanistan in 2008-2009 and in 2011-2012. He attended both the UH60L and UH60M Maintenance test pilot courses in 2012 as well as the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course. Mr. Cooper was then assigned to 2/82 AVN 82nd Airborne Division as a Maintenance Test Pilot. He deployed again to Afghanistan in his role as an MTP. CW4 Cooper then served as an Aviation Warrant Officer Advance Course Instructor on Ft. Rucker. During his assignment, Mike taught over 1200 Army aviators. Following that assignment Mike was assigned as the Quality Assurance OIC in 2-2 Assault Helicopter Battalion in Seoul, South Korea. After his stint in South Korea, Mike was stationed in Ft. Belvoir Va. as the unit's aviation maintenance officer and senior MTP. Currently, CW4 Cooper serves as the senior warrant officer advisory to the battalion commander in 12th AVN BN.

In concert with working as an MTP, Mike pursued his civilian education attaining an Associate’s Degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College. CW4 Cooper’s Warrant Officer professional military education includes Warrant Officer Basic Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Advance Course, and Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education. CW4 Cooper has also attended Airborne, Jumpmaster, US. Army Recruiter Course, the Mobile Force Protection Course, and US Army Pathfinder.

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The mission of The 9:57 Project is to connect Veterans with young people in order to perpetuate Courage, Resilience, Service, Teamwork, and the legacy of Flight 93. At 9:57 AM on 9/11, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 fought back, saving the U.S. Capitol Building and preventing further loss of life. Their actions were the first successful counterattack in the War on Terror. Our Veterans share the "Spirit of 9:57" with young people in order to perpetuate this legacy and the leadership traits exhibited on board the plane that day. Those values are the ones young people need to thrive and succeed in today's world.

Send a note to connect@the957project.org to connect with us!

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The 9:57 Project.