FORT CARSON, Colo. — Capt. Alicia Cook, a company commander with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, lands an AH-64 Apache helicopter at the Nebraska National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nov. 4, for refueling. She was greeted by her father, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Corey Cook and her mother, Lynne. Alicia is one of four siblings, all serving on active duty in the Army. (Photo by Spc. Skyler Sandoz)
By Pfc. Brenda Salgato
14th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Capt. Alicia Cook was on a mission in early November 2021, to transfer an AH-64 Apache helicopter from Fort Campbell back to Fort Carson. She made it her mission to fly a transfer flight through Nebraska to give her family a glimpse of her in flight.
“What made me emotional was seeing my grandparents just grinning from ear to ear, waving their hands while we were flying by their houses,” said Cook, troop commander with 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “None of my family (had) seen me fly an Apache.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Corey Cook, Army veteran, alongside his family at his son’s wedding. (Courtesy photo)
Her first stop was in Lincoln, Nebraska, where her parents greeted her. They said they were proud to witness her landing the helicopter.
“Her taking time to stop in Lincoln, Nebraska, to see her family just shows how much love she has for us, and it fills you with pride to know that you’re still in her mind when she’s doing her job,” said her father, Corey Cook, who also served in the Army, beginning his military career with the 1-167th Cavalry in the Nebraska National Guard in 1991 and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2012.
On her final fuel stop in Nebraska, she was met by her grandfather who retired as an Air Force pilot instructor.
“Flying 1,000 feet over my dad’s house and three of my grandparents’ houses was such an awesome experience,” Alicia Cook said. “There was definitely a massive sense of pride and just excitement that they get to be a part of that and see what we do.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Corey Cook, Army veteran, alongside his family while stationed in Germany in July 2000. (Courtesy photo)
The lineage of service members in the Cook family dates back to World War II when her great-grandfather was a surgeon in the U.S. Navy during the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Today, Cook is joined by her three siblings who also serve as officers in the Army.
“Seeing that she followed in my footsteps along with her three other siblings makes me proud,” Corey Cook said.
He set an example for his children of how to serve one’s nation with pride. He never pressured his kids into serving. His actions alone were enough to guide them toward bright futures in the Army.
“I was ultimately raised to respect the country and respect the people. I always thought serving was something I was supposed to do,” Corey Cook said.