Commander Justin Cooper

CDR Justin Cooper is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, and received his commission from the United States Naval Academy. In June 2003, he reported to Pensacola, FL where he completed flight training earning his wings in November 2004.

CDR Cooper's operational assignments include tours with Helicopter Anti- Submarine Squadron Light FOUR FOUR (HSL-44), Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR EIGHT (HSL-48), and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron FOUR NINE (HSM-49). While at HSL-44, he deployed in USS UNDERWOOD (FFG- 36) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He later deployed as Detachment Maintenance Officer in USS McINERNEY (FFG-8) supporting Operation MARTILLO in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

While assigned to HSL-48, he served as the Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor ensuring all deploying crews were fulling qualified and ready to support their assigned ship. With HSM-49, he deployed in USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG-48) again supporting Operation MARTILLO in the Eastern Pacific. Upon returning from deployment, Commander Cooper served as Squadron Maintenance Officer and was selected as the 2016 HSMWINGPAC Senior Maintenance Officer of the Year.

Ashore, CDR Cooper served at HSMWSL as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor in the SH-60B. In 2011 he earned a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Florida during his off time. In 2016, he reported to the Pentagon where he served on the Joint Staff, J-3 in the J35 Joint Operations Division Americas supporting U.S. Northern Command and as the Joint Staff representative to the Global Maritime Operation Threat Response (MOTR) process. Upon completion of his joint tour, he attended Joint Advanced Warfighting School in Norfolk, Virginia and earned a Master in Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy along with completing Joint Professional Military Education II. He is a Fully Joint Qualified Officer currently serving in the USAFRICOM J35 Future Operations Division.

CDR Cooper has flown over 2500 flight hours in the H-60. He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Five Awards) in addition to other unit and operational awards.