Sgt. Jessica Thompson: Hometown Hero

Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough | Sgt. Jessica Thompson (left) of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Spc. Kimber Baxendale (right) of Fox Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th IBCT, reinstall a repaired fuel filter on an Army Humvee at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine on Aug. 9. The U.S. Army's 45th IBCT is deployed to Ukraine as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, an international coalition dedicated to improving the CTC's training capacity and building professionalism within the Ukrainian army. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

08.09.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Sgt. Jessica Thompson, of Piedmont, Oklahoma, is deployed to Ukraine as a petroleum supply technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine.

The JMTG-U is a coalition of nations dedicated to improving the Yavoriv CTC's training capacity and building professionalism within the Ukrainian army. As Ukraine’s first NATO style training center, the CTC will allow for greater interoperability with partner nations in the future.

“I always wanted to serve,” Thompson said. “I love the U.S.A. and wanted to see new things.”

As a petroleum supply technician, Thompson plays a vital role in maintaining the mission-capable status that allows the 45th IBCT to successfully complete their mission during this train-the-trainer deployment.

Thompson volunteered for the mission in Ukraine, which is her first deployment. When she is not busy with her primary duties, Thompson is cross-training with the mechanics of Fox Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th IBCT on the basics of vehicle repair.

Once she returns home, Thompson plans to use her G.I. Bill benefits to attend Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City to earn an emergency medical technician degree. She is married and has two children.

When asked about her time overseas, Thompson said, “Ukraine is a great experience, I’m thrilled I’m one of the few from the Oklahoma Guard who get to see this.”

• Date Taken: 08.09.2017
• Date Posted: 08.16.2017 03:17
• Story ID: 244598
• Location: YAVORIV, UA
• Hometown: PIEDMONT, OK, US