Profiles of Valor: CW5 David Cooper, United States Army

The Patriot Post ^ | 7/25/2008

[SJSAMPLE]

The SOF/SOCOM guys and supporting units, like the 160th, get the best of everything.
Best equipment.
Best training.
Best people.

Everybody else gets to deal with the “everyday” duties, equipment, personnel, etc, yet they’re pulling their own weight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[cll]

I’m currently reading Takedown, the full account of the 3rd Infantry Division invasion and assault into Iraq and Baghdad. In this conventional unit, you’ll find many examples of leadership, courage, competence and outstanding soldiering.

http://www.amazon.com/Takedown-Infantry-Divisions-Twenty-One-Assault/dp/1591144582/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217344682&sr=8-4

[SJSAMPLE]

‘zactly.

[DariusBane]

guys, please understand I am not disparaging line units. Line units just don’t have the same way of doing things thats all... Great people in line units. Line units fantastic. northing I love more than an Army line unit. Army line units are really great...

Ok, are we good now?

[Little Ray]

Just darn.

Took off and attacked the enemy in support of a downed chopper and some troops. Ran out of ammo. Landed and reloaded from damaged chopper. Took off and fought until low on fuel. Landed and REFUELED from downed chopper after some MacGuyver types got the aux fuel tank loose using their Leatherman tool. Took off and finished wiping out the Talibunnies.

You couldn’t put this in an military action/adventure story. Nobody would believe it.
Where the heck do we get people like this?

[cll]

“Ok, are we good now?”

Special Operations ARE Special.

[infowarrior]

CW5? Now, it's been a while since I was in, but at that time, there was no such critter as a CW5. When did that occur?

the infowarrior

[cll]

About eight or nine years ago.

[cll]

http://usawocc.army.mil/whatiswo.htm

[cll]

Actually, the CW5 grade was established in the early 90’s. I didn’t see my first CW5 until the late 90’s, tho.

[DariusBane]

lol

[infowarrior]

Ahh... Left in '87...

the infowarrior

[fella]

I assume that Hollywood is just about to complete a movie about CW5 Cooper and it will be in theaters soon.

[cll]

Only if the Glorious Fedayeen had dragged him and his buddies around the streets of Baghdad./sarc

[philled]

I'm just finishing The Night Stalkers by Michael Durant. It is a good read and I highly recommend it. I (like 99.95% of the population) knew nothing of Special Ops aviation and the book was fascinating to me. After the Iran hostage rescue fiasco, it became evident that there was a need. It sheds some light on the formation, the people, the training, and the exploits of the 160th. "Night Stalkers Don't Quit", indeed.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> It is a good read and I highly recommend it.

I’m going to the library today, and on the strength of your recommendation I’ll check it out.

Thanks!

[nicko]

...I worked on my MBA at Campbell with Mike Durant, and a couple other Nightstalkers- those guys are high speed...Mike got me through financial management...

[Rummyfan]

Michael Durant.... he is the helo pilot who was captured at Mogadishu and subsequently freed? I read BLACKHAWK DOWN, also a good account of the Night Stalkers.

[jangagrl]

We met David Cooper today in North Carolina.. He was so nice to pick up a dead rat (ok, it was a baby mouse.. but it was still gross!!).. I mean, we almost sat down right beside it!! What a hero!
After reading about his accomplishments in the Army, We are very happy to have met him and now appreciate him even more! Thank you Mr. Cooper for all you have done for us and our country!!
- The 3 girls at CLT on 5/23/09

[cll]

Thank you for sharing your story.