COLONEL CRAIG M. COOPER

Col. Craig M. Cooper is the deputy commander, 184th Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. He advises the wing commander responsible for more than 1,300 Airmen who execute a broad spectrum of missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber and information operations, and command and control. In addition, the wing fields a full complement of mission and support functions including civil engineering, security forces, medical, logistics, communications, contracting, and force support.

Col. Cooper enlisted in the Kansas Air National Guard in 1989. He graduated from Friends University in 1998, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems then graduated with his Masters in Information Systems Management in 2001, and subsequently received his commission through the Academy of Military Science in 2004. Since  commissioning, he has served as a network team chief for the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron, a National Security Agency certified, US Cyber Command accredited  Cyber  and  Information Operations Red Team, the chief of maintenance for the 134th Air Control Squadron, the director of  operations  for  both  the  177th IAS and 127th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, and the commander of the 127th COS, 177th IAS, and 184 Regional Support Group. Prior to his current position, he was the commander of the 184th Cyberspace Operational Group, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

Col. Cooper has deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle and in support of numerous joint forces exercises at multiple locations throughout the world. Additionally, he deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to support Operation Enduring Freedom as an intelligence officer assigned to International Security Assistance Force/Special Operations Force. Furthermore, he deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, in support of the Combined Defense of the Gulf, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Finally, he served as the team lead for the 856th Cyber Protection Team during the 127th COS first six-month activation in support of Operation Gladiator Phoenix.

EDUCATION

1992 Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Correspondence

1997 NCO Academy, McGhee Tyson, Tenn.

1998 Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems, Friends University, Wichita, Kan.

2001 Master’s Degree, Information Systems Management, Friends University, Wichita, Kan.

2004 Officer Commissioning School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2006 Communications Officer School, Keesler AFB, Miss.

2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2012 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence

2019 Leader Development Course for Squadron Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2020 Air War College, Correspondence

2021 Commander Development Course

2025       Joint and Combined Warfighting School - Pending Oct 2025

ASSIGNMENTS