Lieutenant Commander Christopher Cooper

Lieutenant Commander Christopher (Chris) Cooper, RAN joined the RN in 1986 after gaining a BSc (Hons) in Geology at the University of Portsmouth. Early Royal Naval Service included roles as an Observer and Instructor Officer.

In 1991 he completed all Arms Commando Course and served in a variety of RN roles in HQ 3 Commando Brigade and 40 Commando Royal Marines. The latter included a short deployment to Operation HAVEN post the 1991 Gulf war, two tours to Norway undertaking ArcticWarfare Exercises and a 6 month deployment to West Belfast.

In 1995, he completed the METOC officers qualifying course and undertook roles as a METOC at sea in Squadron F2 and F6 gaining his BWC on the Type 23 Frigate, HMS Argyll in 1997. Further METOC appointments included Senior Forecaster at PORTLAND and a short period as an operational Forecaster at NORTHWOOD.

LCDR Cooper completed Initial Hydrographic Officers Course in 1999 and was posted as Executive Officer of the Coastal Survey Vessel HMS Bulldog from 1999-2001. During this appointment, he conducted a number of Surveys around the UK Coast and as temporary Commanding Officer also completed a and the early stages of a deployment to the Gulf. His final posting in the RN was as (HM) to Flag Officer Sea Training.

Joining the RAN in Nov 2003, LCDR Cooper was posted to HMAS Fremantle as Executive Officer and completed a very successful deployment to the Solomon Islands as the last participating FCPB in Operation HELPEM FREN. He was posted to the PBFEG in July 2005 as SO Preparedness and appointed as CO Attack 6 in Apr 06.

LCDR Cooper's interests include fishing, playing the Guitar and Harmonica and keeping fit.