| Answering the Call In memory of CW4 Brent S. Cole |
Signed and numbered museum quality
lithographic prints available for $50.
Approx size 22" x 24"
lithographic prints available for $50.
Approx size 22" x 24"
Lee asked me to paint this to memorialize his pilot and friend. He was Brent's company commander during
Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004-2005. Like Brent, Lee was also deployed in Afghanistan this Spring.
Unfortunately he wasn't able to make the memorial service in Afghanistan, although it was physically only 100
affection and respect for Brent and his family, he wanted to do something special. After much deliberation and a
visit to the Museum of Army Aviation at Fort Rucker, Alabama, we decided that a painting hanging in the Hall of
Heroes would honour his memory. We also thought that if we sold prints of that painting we could collect money
for his son's education fund. Taking into account the suggestions of his wife, Vanessa, Lee chose a scene of 2
Apaches flying through a ravine in Afghanistan as a suitable representation of what Brent enjoyed doing most.
CW4 Brent S. Cole
Chief Warrant Officer Four Brent S. Cole, 38, was killed in action on Friday, May 22, 2009 in a helicopter crash
during his third combat deployment, this time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was
deployed as part of the 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion (Wolf Pack), an AH-64D Apache Longbow unit of the 82nd
Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.
He was currently the Wolf Pack's aviation safety officer and an instructor pilot. He had the responsibility for
teaching new aviators the much needed ability and skills to operate the greatest attack helicopter in the world; this
was his calling, and he loved every minute of it.
Born in West Virginia, CW4 Cole joined the Army in 1987 as a military policeman and was selected to attend the
Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Program in 1998. He excelled as an Army aviator and began flying the AH-64A
Apache helicopter with his first duty assignment at Fort Bragg, NC. He was then assigned to 2-6 Cavalry and later
1-1 Aviation Regiment in Germany where he deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. Upon
completion of these two combat tours, he moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama as an instructor pilot.
CW4 Cole’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service
Medal, an Air Medal with Valor, two Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the
Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good
Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal , the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional
Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, and the Multi-
National Force and Observers Medal. He has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Army
Aviator Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
CW4 Cole is survived by his wife of 17 years, Vanessa Commodore Cole, his son Carson, 10; and his parents
Jack and Helen Cole all of Linden, NC.
Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004-2005. Like Brent, Lee was also deployed in Afghanistan this Spring.
Unfortunately he wasn't able to make the memorial service in Afghanistan, although it was physically only 100
affection and respect for Brent and his family, he wanted to do something special. After much deliberation and a
visit to the Museum of Army Aviation at Fort Rucker, Alabama, we decided that a painting hanging in the Hall of
Heroes would honour his memory. We also thought that if we sold prints of that painting we could collect money
for his son's education fund. Taking into account the suggestions of his wife, Vanessa, Lee chose a scene of 2
Apaches flying through a ravine in Afghanistan as a suitable representation of what Brent enjoyed doing most.
CW4 Brent S. Cole
Chief Warrant Officer Four Brent S. Cole, 38, was killed in action on Friday, May 22, 2009 in a helicopter crash
during his third combat deployment, this time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was
deployed as part of the 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion (Wolf Pack), an AH-64D Apache Longbow unit of the 82nd
Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.
He was currently the Wolf Pack's aviation safety officer and an instructor pilot. He had the responsibility for
teaching new aviators the much needed ability and skills to operate the greatest attack helicopter in the world; this
was his calling, and he loved every minute of it.
Born in West Virginia, CW4 Cole joined the Army in 1987 as a military policeman and was selected to attend the
Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Program in 1998. He excelled as an Army aviator and began flying the AH-64A
Apache helicopter with his first duty assignment at Fort Bragg, NC. He was then assigned to 2-6 Cavalry and later
1-1 Aviation Regiment in Germany where he deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. Upon
completion of these two combat tours, he moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama as an instructor pilot.
CW4 Cole’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service
Medal, an Air Medal with Valor, two Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the
Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good
Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal , the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional
Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, and the Multi-
National Force and Observers Medal. He has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Army
Aviator Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
CW4 Cole is survived by his wife of 17 years, Vanessa Commodore Cole, his son Carson, 10; and his parents
Jack and Helen Cole all of Linden, NC.
The ceremony for the original painting dedication at Ft. Rucker Army Aviation Museum took place on 13 November 2009.
BG William Wolf accepted the painting on behalf of the museum.
BG William Wolf accepted the painting on behalf of the museum.
