Walter Jordan “Walt” Cooner was the Chief of the Defense Counterterrorism Office’s (DCT) Operations Division (DCT-1). A seasoned Arabist and Middle East specialist, Mr. Cooner’s career includes tours as: Deputy Chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Executive Support Office (ESO) and Principal Liaison to the National Security Council; Iran Analysis Division Chief; ESO’s Technology Division Chief; the Senior Briefer for the Undersecretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Senior Analyst for Arabian Peninsula Issues; U.S. Defense Attaché to the Sultanate of Oman; U.S. Air Attaché to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Sudan; and several stints in Iraq, most notably with the multi-agency Regime Crimes Liaison Office during Saddam Hussain’s trial.
Walt retired from the United States Air Force as a colonel in December 2000 After 27 years of service. During that time, he flew for the Wings of Blue competition jump team, was a professor of Middle East History and Tactical Leadership, and served as an Associate Air Officer Commanding at the U.S. Air Force Academy; served as a special advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff during the first Gulf War and was the Air Staff’s Middle East Branch Chief at the Pentagon. A command pilot with over 8,000 hours in five military aircraft—two-thirds of which were as an instructor or flight examiner—he participated in numerous global special operations, among which was the 1980 Iran Rescue attempt (Operation Eagle Claw). His final Air Force assignment was as Director of Global Management (FMS) with the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
His private sector career included three years as Director of International Marketing for a Virginia aviation logistics and helicopter repair firm, time as an Adjunct Fellow for Arabian Gulf issues with the RAND Corporation, and contract work throughout the Middle East with CIA and DIA. He is fluent in Arabic, understands Farsi, and has worked in—or traveled to—every country in the Middle East and North Africa except Libya.
Mr. Cooner is a graduate of the Air War College, the Air Command and Staff College, the Marine Command and Staff College, holds a B.A. in Asian History from Emory University, and an M.A. in Military History from the Ohio State University. Born in Auburn, Alabama, he is married and has an adult daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys flying, scuba diving, hiking, commercial art, cooking, historical research and philanthropic pursuits. Mr. Cooner maintains flight currency in a CJ-6 Yak with Warbirds, a vintage aircraft flying association.
