Camp McCool's brief impact

Members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 lower their unit's American Flag for the final time during "Camp McCool's" closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Capt. Jonathan Boersma, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 pilot, led a short and somber unit closing ceremony at Camp McCool on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded the camp's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Navy Chaplain (Lt. Cdr.) Richard Malmstrom leads members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 in a final prayer during Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 pause to honor their unit's history during Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, commander of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, reminds Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history during the camp's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, commander of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, reminds Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history during the camp's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 pause to hear their commander, Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, remind Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history during the camp's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 perform a flag-folding ceremony during "Camp McCool's" closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff (right), unit commander, and Sgt. Maj. Adam Moore, sergeant major, of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 honor their unit's American Flag at the end of Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff (right), unit commander, and Sgt. Maj. Adam Moore, sergeant major, of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 honor their unit's American Flag at the end of Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, commander of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, honors his unit's American Flag at the end of Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Sgt. Maj. Adam Moore, sergeant major of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, stands ceremonial watch beside his camp's dedication sign at Camp McCool's closing ceremony on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

NASA Astronaut and EA-6B pilot Navy Commander William C. McCool, was the pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia when it broke apart before landing in February 2003. Members of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 recently paused to honor McCool and their unit's history during Camp McCool's closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded the camp's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of Commander McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107 (NASA photo/John Ira Petty)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Sgt. Maj. Adam Moore, sergeant major of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, issues the final "dismissed" to the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 to end Camp McCool's unit closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The ceremony reminded Camp McCool's final residents of its brief-but-important nine-year history. The camp was the site of an insurgent attack on Bagram in 2009. The camp was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, fellow EA-6B Prowler pilot, and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia's ill-fated STS-107, which broke up during its return to Earth in February 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn McCowan)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, U.S. Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 commander (left), addresses his Marines during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool was opened shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

U.S. Marines of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 pay respect to the “Stars & Stripes” as they are lowered for the final time during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool opened up shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Cpl. Eric Gufler (left) and Sgt. Shawn McAllister, both assigned to the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, perform honor guard details as the American flag was lowered a final time during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool was opened shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Two U.S. Marines assigned to the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2, ceremonially fold a flag during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool was opened shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

A U.S. Marine assigned to the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 presents the "Stars & Stripes" to his commander, Lt Col. Adam Musoff, VMAQ-2 commander (front left), during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool was opened shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, U.S. Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 commander, carries away the colors during the Camp McCool closing ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. The camp was named after U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, a space shuttle astronaut who perished when the shuttle “Columbia” broke up during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. Camp McCool was opened shortly after CMDR McCool’s death. The camp had been home to the Marine Corps Prowler community since 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Jeff Nevison)

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Camp McCool's brief impact

Published Aug. 23, 2012
By TSgt Shawn David McCowan
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- U.S. Marines assigned to Bagram Airfield recently gathered to honor U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool, and close "Camp McCool" prior to departing Afghanistan.

The Marines assigned to Camp McCool assembled around their camp's flag pole in the hot afternoon Afghanistan sun. Their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Adam Musoff, briefly spoke to his Marines about their camp's history, and thanked them for their service with him. Their camp's American flag was lowered for the last time while "Taps" was played by a trumpeter.

A makeshift Honor Guard detail folded the flag and presented it to Musoff. Moments later, the camp was officially closed, and its brief existence sealed for history.

The camp was first occupied by Navy Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 142, a Prowler squadron, in December 2003. Since 2009, the camp had been occupied by Bagram's Marine Prowler community. Since the camp's opening, over 3,600 Marines and Sailors have lived and worked there while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Camp McCool became a significant part of Bagram history when insurgents attacked the base in May 2010, attempting to invade by entering the base through the camp. The Marines of "VMAQ-2" repelled the attack, with the ensuing firefight resulting in two Marines being wounded. All of the insurgents who attempted to breach the camp were killed.

Camp McCool was named in honor of U.S. Navy Commander William C. McCool. The San Diego, Cal., native graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983, ranked number two out of 1,083 students.

McCool was the pilot for Space Shuttle Columbia's mission STS-107, which broke apart while returning to earth, 16 minutes before their scheduled land time on February 1, 2003.