Emily Thompson in her flight suit readies for battle.

D1's Proud Papa Thompson knows
a thing or two about first female
stealth pilot sent into combat

America recently deployed its first female stealth fighter pilot into combat. Captain Emily Thompson, call sign “Banzai,” became the first female to fly the F-35A Lightning II into combat over Afghanistan in June. She also had an all-female maintenance crew to launch her historic flight.

Emily is the daughter of District 1 Port of Entry Inspector Bill Thompson.

“This is my first deployment and first combat sortie," Emily said. "Of course, being the first female, it’s a pretty big honor."

"There’s a lot of females who have come before me and there’s a lot of females already flying combat sorties in other platforms. So just to be the person who gets that honor, that first, it just meant a lot.”

Emily graduated from Sandpoint High School and attended the University of Kansas School of Aerospace Engineering. Although she initially wanted to be an engineer, once she got the chance to fly a plane instead of just repair it, she changed course. After completing her Reserve Officer Training in college, Emily was selected for pilot school and then for fighter pilot school. She flew F-16s for 18 months in Korea before transferring to the F-35A model.

“From the age of six, Emily was determined to be the best at whatever she attempted,” Bill (pictured left) said. “Our whole family is so very proud of her. She continues to amaze us. Just when we think she has done it all, another accolade comes her way. I am a proud father.”

To watch the F-35 Lightning II in action, click the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B3zOJPYunI

 

Published 07-10-20