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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Wasp (LHD-1)

CAPT. Monte N. Cooper, USN

Captain Nakia Cooper is a native of Manassas, Va. and a 1998 graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education/Teacher Education. He entered the Navy through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion program and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. in 1998. He also attended the Naval War College where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs.

Following his commissioning, he completed Surface Warfare Officer training in preparation for his first assignment onboard USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50). During his tour, he severed as the gunnery/force protection officer, completing at UNITAS deployment and a West African Training Cruise. Upon completion of his first assignment, he was selected to remain onboard CARTER HALL as the ship's navigator. After, he was assigned to the Pentagon on the OPNAV Staff where he served as a foreign liaison officer in the N2L organization.

After completing Department Head School in Newport, R.I., he was assigned to USS ASHLAND (LSD 48) as the operations officer. While onboard, he completed an Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. After his departure from ASHLAND, Captain Cooper was assigned as the commanding officer of Patrol Coastal Crew JULIET and commanded USS SQUALL (PC 7) and USS FIREBOLT (PC 10). Upon completion of his command tour, he attended the Naval War College followed by another tour at the Pentagon in OPNAV N95 as a requirements/action officer. Following his OPNAV tour, he was assigned as the flag secretary/administration officer for Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. After a successful tour at ESG 2, he was an operational analyst with the Joint and Coalition Operational Analysis division, Joint Staff, J7. He served executive officer onboard USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) from February 2015 and fleeted up to commanding officer of OAK HILL in August 2016. Captain Cooper then completed a tour as executive assistant to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic from March 2018 to January 2020, and then served as deputy director, SMWDC Det Little Creek until September 2020. In October 2020, he assumed the role as executive officer aboard USS WASP (LHD 1). He took over as commanding officer of USS WASP (LHD 1) March 2022.

Captain Cooper's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo