 by Gigi Pilcher & M.C. Kauffman Photos Provided by LTJG James Thompson July 21, 2002
One such individual is Ketchikan's James Thompson - the son of Ketchikan resident Doug Thompson and former Ketchikan resident Peggy King of Virginia. Thompson graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1995 - notably, some may remember him as the capable captain of the King's swim team. Thompson also graduated from the University of Washington where he attended the Navy ROTC - that is how he was commissioned. Currently, Thompson is a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) in the United States Navy. Thompson said he has served in the Navy for over three years and has been a designated
"I'm currently assigned to the 'Warlords' of HSL-51 stationed in Atsugi, Japan just outside Tokyo. I'll be there another two and a half years," Thompson said. In information provided by Thompson he wrote, "The squadron deploys as one or two helicopter detachments aboard, what we call small-boys, Cruisers, Destroyers, and Frigates. I'm currently on Detachment 6 aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49) which made a name for itself in the 80's shooting down an Iranian Jet. We fly the SH-60B 'Seahawk.' Our primary missions are anti-sub and anti-surface. Our secondary missions are search and rescue (SAR), MEDEVAC, Vertical replenishment (VERTREP), Communications relay, and Naval surface gunfire support. Both Vincennes and my detachment are currently involved in an exercise known as CARAT (cooperation afloat readiness and training) training with the navies of the Southwest Pacific. So far we've been at sea for the last 3.5 months, with short stops in Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and we're currently in the Philippines." As for LTJG Thompson's future plans, he said he's been dating Jennifer Lapsley for the last three years. Lapsley is also a Naval Flight Officer and a navigator on P-3C patrol planes. She is stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington. Thompson said they plan to be married in a year or two and move back to Ketchikan once they're both out of the Navy. "I'm hoping to start up my own Helicopter/floatplane business and possibly work for Temsco while I'm setting everything up," Thompson said. He said he's not sure how long he'll be in the Navy. "My commitment is done in 2006 or 2007 which is at least one more tour but I may stay longer," Thompson said. Our nation and community can take pride in all the fine men and women - like Ketchikan's own LTJG Thompson - who unselfishly and bravely serve our great nation.
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