HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Today’s spotlight is U.S. Air Force veteran Leland “Lee” Thompson.
Thompson grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, and enlisted in the Air Force in 1954. He served for 23 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1977.
While in the Air Force, Thompson was a pilot who flew many different aircraft. He began his career with the 322nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron stationed at Moses Lake, Washington. There he flew the F-86D and the F-101B,flying interceptor for ADC – Air Defense. From there, he went to England, where he flew the F-101A and C model.
In 1963, Lee began work at Hill Air Force Base as a flight test pilot for depot maintenance aircraft. He served two tours at Hill from 1963 to 1967 and again from 1968 to 1972. In 1967, he completed a tour in Vietnam, performing flight test on the A-1E and H after depot maintenance was done at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam. His last tour was in Spain.
Thompson has a very personal connection to the Hill Aerospace Museum having flown many aircraft that now reside in the museum.
“There are six different aircraft at the museum that are the actual aircraft and tail numbers I flew during my Air Force career,” he said.
Thompson now resides in Fruit Heights, Utah, where he enjoys participating in genealogy research for his church. He also enjoys volunteer work and has been a regular volunteer at Hill Aerospace Museum for more than 10 years.
Thank you for your service, Lee Thompson!