Camden native takes part in historic flight
Camden native United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Thompson recently made history by being a part of the first all African American flight crew in JSTARS (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System) history to fly from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia on a training mission.
Thompson served as an Air Battle Manager during the flight and was one of 33 airmen and soldiers from the 116th Air Control Wing, 461st Air Control Wing, and the Army’s 138th Military Intelligence Company, that comprised Team JSTARS.
Thompson explained how this mission gave this crew the ability to honor the legacy of
African American Airmen that came before them.
Team JSTARS provides geographic combatant commanders around the world with oncall battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, commonly referred to as C2ISR.
Thompson and his twin brother, Chief Master Sergeant (select) Kerry Thompson, have served in the United States Air Force for over 25 years and received multiple college degrees while doing so.
Gerry Thompson shared that it was always a dream of his to fly in the Air Force, but he did not know anyone around town that flew. He talked about the importance of representation and the significance seeing someone that looks like you have on influencing young people’s dreams. He also credited his family for his success and thanked them for their support throughout the years.
“It doesn’t matter what they say about where you are from,” Gerry Thompson said when asked what he would tell young African American with similar ambitions. “They can tell you that Camden is a small place but you can ac
“It doesn’t matter what they say about where you are from. They can tell you that Camden is a small place but you can accomplish your goals, no matter what they may be. You just have to be determined to never give up.”
complish your goals, no matter what they may be. You just have to be determined to never give up. I’m extremely thankful for my family and the friends that were around to help me get to where I am today. It’s very important to ensure you surround yourself with the right people in order to accomplish great things.”
Gerry Thompson is a 1995 graduate of Camden Fairview High School. He and his wife Joni have two daughters, Kiara and Makala. In addition to his brother, Gerry Thompson has one sister, Kimberly, and is the son of Calvin and Fannie Thompson.