Katie Cook

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

Lieutenant Colonel Katie Cook graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008 with a B.S. in Political Science and earned an M.A. in International Security from Georgetown University in 2009. A KC-130J pilot, she earned her wings in 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying combat logistics, aerial refueling missions, and close air support missions. She later deployed with Special Purpose MAGTF-Crisis Response Africa, where she supported contingency operations across the continent, including the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in South Sudan in January 2014. In 2014, she became the first female pilot to fly with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, serving as Aviation Safety Officer and C-130 Aircraft Commander. She subsequently commanded Airfield Operations Company at Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, supporting expeditionary airfield operations at MCALF Bogue. She has logged over 1,400 flight hours—including 400 in combat—and participated in missions across more than a dozen countries.

LtCol Cook transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve in 2019 and served as the Recruiting Support Officer for RS Houston through 2022. She then joined the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command as a Joint Operational Planner, where she deployed in support of the U.S. Embassy evacuation in Niger. Her decorations include three Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals, the Joint Achievement Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit awards. In 2024, she was selected to serve with the Marine Innovation Unit. In her civilian career, she is a Senior Director of Sales Strategy for Health and Life Sciences at Salesforce.  Katie is married to another Blue Angel alumni, former Major Dusty Cook, USMC.  They have four children.