The new Commander of 16th Aviation Brigade, Brigadier Fern Thompson, showed what it means to lead by example during flood recovery efforts in Queensland.
It’s not every day you see a brigade commander flying a Chinook, but Brigadier Thompson jumped in the cockpit of a CH-47F Chinook to support her crews as they worked across the Christmas and New Year break.
“I’m a commander, but I’m also a Chinook pilot, so by employing myself in that profession I can stop people being recalled from leave and help to give them some respite,” Brigadier Thompson said.
“It’s great to keep up my skills by flying with these young men and women, who are at the sharp end of the profession, and I’ll keep flying as long as they’ll have me.”
The CH-47F Chinook fleet has played a vital role in the aftermath of Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, evacuating people from vulnerable communities and delivering vital stores and equipment to isolated areas across Far North Queensland.
Brigadier Thompson began her career at the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment as a Blackhawk pilot in 1999, where she soon deployed on her first tour of East Timor.
With the aviation brigade headquarters relocated to Townsville, Brigadier Thompson’s career has come full circle.
“When I first posted into the 5th Aviation Regiment [5AVN], I deployed to East Timor around two weeks after I arrived, so each time I arrive at 5AVN we seem to deploy not long after,” she said.
Despite time away on operations and postings across the country, Brigadier Thompson said there was something about Townsville that made it feel like home after so many years.
“It’s like I’m coming home to the north of Queensland,” Brigadier Thompson said.
“I’m very privileged to command, to be given such responsibility and opportunity.”
With a lengthy deployment history, dual Masters Degrees and extensive service experience, it is no wonder Brigadier Thompson was appointed to lead the brigade as it enters a new era of aviation.
“The brigade is modernising with new airframes, including the Apache and Blackhawk, as well as new uncrewed aerial systems coming into service,” she said.
“It’s a recapitalisation of Army aviation, generating the capability that we need moving forward, so it’s a really exciting time.”
