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Airman takes first in flight award

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Poole
  • 2nd Airlift Squadron
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Imagine being selected as the Air Force's number one deployed flight engineer.
For Master Sgt. Christopher Cooper flying in the Air Force's highest operations tempo aircraft, the C-130 Hercules, this isn't a fantasy but reality as the Air Force selected him as one of its top flyers. 

The 2nd Airlift Squadron flight engineer was recently the recipient of the 2005 U.S. Air Force Henry "Red" Erwin Outstanding Senior NCO Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year award. 

While everyone submits packages detailing their highlights and finer points, Sergeant Cooper stood out above his peers for his role in helping stand up the first-ever C-130 Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) flying unit. 

This was the centerpiece of his award package -- a 179-day advisory support team tour where he was responsible for training members of the Iraqi Air Force on how to fly the C-130. 

"During this period, he literally built the 23rd Iraqi Flying Squadron on his shoulders," said Lt. Col. Howard Ward, 2nd Airlift Squadron commander. 

"He led a team of four Air Force flight engineer instructors and was directly responsible for the upgrade of six Iraqi flight engineers; he devised the IQAF/FE training syllabus decreasing upgrade training time by 20 percent; he conducted night vision goggle, flight performance computations, threat detection, hot weather and defensive maneuvering courses" said the colonel.."His good work ethic directly impacted the safe completion of 60 monthly training sorties." 

Sergeant Cooper also as the noncommissioned officer in charge, he also was responsible for them by performing Iraqi escort duty for the 23 trainees while at Little Rock AFB, Ark. 

"He meticulously maintained and continuously updated the IQAF's 51 flight manuals and led the purchase of the first-ever IQAF C-130 flight publication library valued at $20,000," said Colonel Ward. 

While taking on this responsibility, he also stepped into the role of a leader ensuring the mission ran smoothly. 

"Sergeant Cooper was also an impeccable garrison leader when he stepped up as the 2nd AS flight engineer outlook team leader," said Colonel Ward. "He instructed the squadron's C-130 tactical procedures and night vision goggles assault courses which, in turn, shaved two months off of the Air Mobility Command deadline." 

Carrying out the mission and stepping into the role of leader are not the only thing Sergeant Cooper excels at. 

"Never resting on his laurels, he accomplished a myriad of education courses despite deploying for 230 days," said Colonel Ward. "He also earned a Community College of the Air Force degree in Flight Engineering and is currently working on his bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Safety at Central Texas University." 

One of his peers agrees with all the excitement surrounding Sergeant Cooper's achievements. 

"Master Sergeant Cooper epitomizes this award. He has deployed 673 days since the infamous 9/11 attacks on our country," Chief Master Sgt. Mike Lambrecht, 2nd AS chief enlisted manager. "He leads by example and is at the forefront of every squadron endeavor." 

"Sergeant Cooper's powerful work ethic is proof positive as to why he is the Air Force's best Senior NCO aircrew member," said the colonel. "The 2nd AS are fortunate to have an NCO that sets such a great example in both technical proficiency and leading people. We're a better squadron because of Chris Cooper -- the Air Force's top Senior NCO enlisted aviator."