USASOAC Change of Command Chief Warrant Officer

FORT BRAGG, NC - The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command will hold a change of Command Chief Warrant Officer ceremony June 29, 10 a.m. on Meadows Field at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command headquarters.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 David F. Cooper will relinquish responsibility to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert D. Witzler in a ceremony that will set the precedent for future ceremonies as the Army is implementing command chief warrant officer positions in all Combat Aviation Brigades.

Witzler is assuming responsibility following an assignment as Command Chief Warrant Officer of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Cooper became the first Command Chief Warrant Officer of USASOAC when the unit activated in March 2011. 

Host for the ceremony is Col. Clayton M. Hutmacher, commander of USASOAC.

After the change of responsibility ceremony Cooper will retire after 27 years of service in the Army.  Cooper is a Distinguished Service Cross recipient and member of the Army Aviation Association of America's Hall of Fame.  At the time of his retirement, he is the only current serving Army Aviator to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.