nastyleg
09-20-2011, 07:15 PM
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/23473.aspx
With just the lightest touch the helicopter moves into position as soldiers on the ground call for air cover; they are pinned down by enemy fire.
Captain Antony Thompson of the Army Air Corps kitted out for flying Apache.As the pilot uses his digital sights to magnify the insurgent’s position and make a positive identification the crew make their final decision to fire – there must be no risk of killing or wounding innocent civilians.
A loud crack pierces the air as the 30mm calibre canon fires onto the insurgents below. The radio operator confirms that they are now safe and the threat has now been eliminated and the Apache attack helicopter circles away to escort a medical emergency Chinook, called to an injured Afghan policeman less than a few kilometres away.
This is one of the many call-outs that Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache pilot Captain ‘Tomo’ Thompson has to deal with. With more than twenty years’ flying experience and just an hour away from reaching his five thousandth hour Tomo is drawing to the end of an intense five-month tour of Afghanistan.
Spending up to 8 hours a day in his state-of-the-art Attack Helicopter both he and his fellow crew members have been protecting the men and women deployed out on the ground across Helmand Province.
Enthusiasm
During his early years Tomo went to an inner city comprehensive school and left with few qualifications. At the age of 17 he made the decision to join the military and was recruited into the Royal Signals. “The Army gave me a chance and everything I had done before that point did not matter anymore. I had a fresh start,” he said.
Captain Antony Thompson of the Army Air Corps standing in front of the Apache attack helicopter.Working as a Telecommunications Engineer Tomo threw himself into Army life and quickly began to explore the options that his new career offered him by taking up parachuting, which invigorated his interest in flying. This enthusiasm coupled with his dedication to parachute led him to become a member of the Royal Signals Parachute Display Team
He said: “I spent so much time in the aircraft watching what the pilots were doing I thought - ‘how hard can this be?’ In 1990 I filled in my paperwork for aircrew selection.”
The basic requirement for members of the Army to attend flying selection is to first reach the rank of Lance Corporal and be recommended for promotion to corporal. This is in contrast to the other two services where they are required to commission before flying. “It gives everyone a fair crack at having the chance to fly, regardless of your background and qualifications”
Tomo worked hard and successfully completed his initial flight testing of 3 weeks and was accepted into Flying Training at Middle Wallop. After 40 hours of flying a fixed wing aircraft he converted to rotary and began his career as a helicopter pilot.
Deadly but effective deterrent
With his new set of wings he quickly found his feet flying Gazelle and then Lynx in Northern Ireland before returning to Middle Wallop, the home of the AAC to take up a slightly more glamorous position as an instructor and display pilot with the Blue Eagles: “It was really quite amazing to see the amount of people who would queue up just to see the aircraft, however we did put on a pretty good show; the crowds loved us.”
In 2002 after twelve years of flying Thomo was offered to travel to Alabama and train to fly the Apache AH1 helicopter. After five months of working alongside the Americans he returned to the UK to teach new pilots how to fly the Army’s latest aircraft.
Capt Tomo Thompson, AAC, receives a plaque to mark his 5000 hours of flying from the Officer Commanding the Apache detachment in Afghansitan Major Paul Hayhurst (left).With a wealth of experience behind him he deployed from Wattisham to Afghanistan in April of this year to take up the job that both himself and his colleagues train for; supporting deployed troops on the ground. With a payload of hellfire missiles, CRV7 Rockets and a 30mm canon the Apache is a deadly but effective deterrent against the insurgents.
Opportunities
Talking on his time in Helmand Tomo states “This has been a very challenging time but it makes me feel better to know that the guys and the girls on the ground feel safe when we are up there watching over them.”
Colonel Peter Eadie, Commander Task Force Jaguar, commented on Captain Thompson reaching the 5000 hour milestone: “I congratulate Tomo on reaching 5000 hours; a really significant achievement.
“Tomo’s skills, experience and example continue to bring on and encourage younger pilots. The sight and sound that the insurgents most fear over Afghanistan is that of the Apache helicopter”
Capt Thompson was recently awarded a commendation by Major General Glenn Walters Commanding General of the United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine Air Wing (Forward) for his skills and professionalism in an attack on armed insurgents in his Apache.
At the age 43 Tomo now reflects on reaching his 5000 hours and his journey to become one of the most senior Apache pilots in Afghanistan: “There are opportunities out there for everyone in life, but you have to be prepared to look for them. Don’t let your past stop you from changing your future"
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/23473.aspx
With just the lightest touch the helicopter moves into position as soldiers on the ground call for air cover; they are pinned down by enemy fire.
Captain Antony Thompson of the Army Air Corps kitted out for flying Apache.As the pilot uses his digital sights to magnify the insurgent’s position and make a positive identification the crew make their final decision to fire – there must be no risk of killing or wounding innocent civilians.
A loud crack pierces the air as the 30mm calibre canon fires onto the insurgents below. The radio operator confirms that they are now safe and the threat has now been eliminated and the Apache attack helicopter circles away to escort a medical emergency Chinook, called to an injured Afghan policeman less than a few kilometres away.
This is one of the many call-outs that Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache pilot Captain ‘Tomo’ Thompson has to deal with. With more than twenty years’ flying experience and just an hour away from reaching his five thousandth hour Tomo is drawing to the end of an intense five-month tour of Afghanistan.
Spending up to 8 hours a day in his state-of-the-art Attack Helicopter both he and his fellow crew members have been protecting the men and women deployed out on the ground across Helmand Province.
Enthusiasm
During his early years Tomo went to an inner city comprehensive school and left with few qualifications. At the age of 17 he made the decision to join the military and was recruited into the Royal Signals. “The Army gave me a chance and everything I had done before that point did not matter anymore. I had a fresh start,” he said.
Captain Antony Thompson of the Army Air Corps standing in front of the Apache attack helicopter.Working as a Telecommunications Engineer Tomo threw himself into Army life and quickly began to explore the options that his new career offered him by taking up parachuting, which invigorated his interest in flying. This enthusiasm coupled with his dedication to parachute led him to become a member of the Royal Signals Parachute Display Team
He said: “I spent so much time in the aircraft watching what the pilots were doing I thought - ‘how hard can this be?’ In 1990 I filled in my paperwork for aircrew selection.”
The basic requirement for members of the Army to attend flying selection is to first reach the rank of Lance Corporal and be recommended for promotion to corporal. This is in contrast to the other two services where they are required to commission before flying. “It gives everyone a fair crack at having the chance to fly, regardless of your background and qualifications”
Tomo worked hard and successfully completed his initial flight testing of 3 weeks and was accepted into Flying Training at Middle Wallop. After 40 hours of flying a fixed wing aircraft he converted to rotary and began his career as a helicopter pilot.
Deadly but effective deterrent
With his new set of wings he quickly found his feet flying Gazelle and then Lynx in Northern Ireland before returning to Middle Wallop, the home of the AAC to take up a slightly more glamorous position as an instructor and display pilot with the Blue Eagles: “It was really quite amazing to see the amount of people who would queue up just to see the aircraft, however we did put on a pretty good show; the crowds loved us.”
In 2002 after twelve years of flying Thomo was offered to travel to Alabama and train to fly the Apache AH1 helicopter. After five months of working alongside the Americans he returned to the UK to teach new pilots how to fly the Army’s latest aircraft.
Capt Tomo Thompson, AAC, receives a plaque to mark his 5000 hours of flying from the Officer Commanding the Apache detachment in Afghansitan Major Paul Hayhurst (left).With a wealth of experience behind him he deployed from Wattisham to Afghanistan in April of this year to take up the job that both himself and his colleagues train for; supporting deployed troops on the ground. With a payload of hellfire missiles, CRV7 Rockets and a 30mm canon the Apache is a deadly but effective deterrent against the insurgents.
Opportunities
Talking on his time in Helmand Tomo states “This has been a very challenging time but it makes me feel better to know that the guys and the girls on the ground feel safe when we are up there watching over them.”
Colonel Peter Eadie, Commander Task Force Jaguar, commented on Captain Thompson reaching the 5000 hour milestone: “I congratulate Tomo on reaching 5000 hours; a really significant achievement.
“Tomo’s skills, experience and example continue to bring on and encourage younger pilots. The sight and sound that the insurgents most fear over Afghanistan is that of the Apache helicopter”
Capt Thompson was recently awarded a commendation by Major General Glenn Walters Commanding General of the United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine Air Wing (Forward) for his skills and professionalism in an attack on armed insurgents in his Apache.
At the age 43 Tomo now reflects on reaching his 5000 hours and his journey to become one of the most senior Apache pilots in Afghanistan: “There are opportunities out there for everyone in life, but you have to be prepared to look for them. Don’t let your past stop you from changing your future"
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/23473.aspx