Never Mind, We’ll Do It Ourselves: How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched the Drone Warfare Revolution
Speaker(s): Bierbauer, A. (CEO of Blackrock Strategy, LLC); Cooter, M. (USAF, Retired)
Date: 9 November 2021
Speaker Session Summary
SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Alec Bierbauer (Blackrock Strategy, LLC) and Col Mark Cooter (USAF, Retired) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
The US Department of Defense’s Predator program demonstrated how different organizations within the DOD can use synergy and coordinate technology developments, human networking, and cross-organization information sharing to achieve an objective. The program began as an army counterintelligence initiative but became weaponized after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Mr. Bierbauer commented that its initial objective was to clandestinely monitor Usama Bin Ladin and locate Al Qaida’s armed forces in Afghanistan. There were many obstacles that the Predator program initially faced, such as no US ground personnel, no past program records to reference, constantly working with prototypes of technology, and the time it takes to build trustworthy networks of allies. Following the attacks of September 11, the initiative developed from a clandestine and small operation, to a USG-wide effort to develop technology and information capabilities to find and eliminate Usama Bin Ladin and Al Qaida.
The Predator program allowed the US armed force’s technology and objectives to develop in parallel to each other. Colonel Cooter commented that even though the Taliban was mostly using older Soviet Era technology, the program was still challenged to develop new equipment, which allowed the US to move undetected in Afghanistan’s air space. The program also allowed the DOD to collect picture data, gather full motion video, and vet human sources. Despite having to overcome early adversity, which included having to outbid the Olympics for broadband space and a change in US presidential administration, the Predator program was able to locate Bin Ladin and multiple Al Qaida targets over multiple missions.
Mark Cooter and Alec Bierbauer Biographies
Col. Mark Cooter, USAF (Retired)
Mark Cooter is a retired United States Air Force Colonel and served as an intelligence officer for 28 years. He has experience in DESERTSTORM, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya operations. As a Fighter Weapons School Graduate, he commanded the 497th of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group and the 547thIntelligence Squadron. He also had staff tours at the Air Staff, Air Combat Command, United States Central Command, and United States U.S. Air Forces Central Command.
Mark Cooter served as the Operations Officer for the Air Combat Command’s Expeditionary Air Intelligence Squadron, the United States Air Force component of this Joint CIA/USAF venture operating the RQ-1 and MQ-1Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. He also served as the Air Force’s lead action officer for this endeavor. His team’s efforts are chronicled in the book, “Never Mind, We'll Do lt Ourselves. The Inside Story of How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a Drone Warfare Revolution, which he coauthored.
His decorations include the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, ten Meritorious Service Medals, the Aerial Achievement Medal two, Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Hew as twice recognized as the Air Combat Command Intelligence Officerof the Year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from East Tennessee State University, a master’s Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University, and a master’sDegree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University.
Since retiring from active duty in 2013, he’s served as the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations for Patch Plus Consulting, Inc. As such, he provides subject matterexpertise to operations, acquisition, and industry partners includingsupport to warfighting and research efforts, instruction for varioustraining courses, and staff support.
Mr. Alec Bierbauer, CEO of Blackrock Strategy, LLC
Alec has over 30 years of risk mitigation experience, including more thana decade working with international Fortune 500 companies to protecttheir people, brands, and market share. He also has over 20 years ofexperience in counterintelligence and counterterrorism conducting andmanaging unique special military and other government operations.
Alec'scareer began as an Army Counterintelligence Special Agent workingespionage investigations and Special Access Program support in Korea,Ft. Meade USA, Kuwait, and Panama. Following his active duty Armyobligations.
Alec'sintelligence career continued with an assignment as a principal USDepartment of Defense intelligence officer for briefing the JointStaff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Defense IntelligenceAgency leadership on special programs.
Hisgovernment service culminated with his work in the CIA's ClandestineService as a Case Officer. Alec was assigned to the CIA's CounterTerrorism Center, where he was the founder, Program Manager, andDirector for a National Security Council requirement that Has grownto be one of CIA's most successful collection and operationalengagement programs. His duties included regular interaction with hismanaged assets in the field as well as key leaders across thespectrum of the US Government stakeholders. Alec also served as aChief of Base and an Operations Officer in multiple war and conflictzones.
Alec’spost-government career continued support to US interests throughgovernment contracting as well as support to large businesses needingto mitigate risks across the globe to their people and interests.
In2021, he became published as the co-author of "NeverMind, We'll Do lt Ourselves: The inside Story of How a Team ofRenegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a DroneWarfare Revolution."
Alecholds a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania StateUniversity, USA.
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