CPT Charles W. Cooper

21 February 1991, Saudi Arabia

160th SOAR

Captain Charles W. Cooper of Saint Charles, Illinois, died on 21 February 1991 while supporting Operation DESERT STORM.

An Aviation officer, CPT Cooper was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in October 1989, where he served as a 2nd Flight Platoon Leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

On 21 February 1991, CPT Cooper was piloting a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on an urgent medical evacuation deep inside enemy territory. While returning to the medical facility, his helicopter encountered a sandstorm in northwestern Saudi Arabia. He and his copilot lost visual reference with the ground, leading to a crash that killed all onboard.