Our People in ACT
Carl Thompson - Lanyon Lad On Last Artillery Deployment To Afghanistan
Lanyon’s Lance Bombardier Carl Thompson is part of the last Australian detachment supporting the British-led troops in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Carl, 24, has spent the last 12 months away from home, initially training in the UK with the British 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, based in Colchester and then deploying to Afghanistan in September 2010.
Each day Carl and his fellow Aussies are busy conducting fire missions in support of troops on the ground, plus maintaining the various weapon systems including the 105mm Hamel gun, along with physical training and sentry duty.
“The thing I enjoy most about being here is being able to work and fight beside a different army while providing fire support for the various call-signs [foot patrols],” Carl said.
“When international or Afghan troops are pinned down by enemy fire, we are able to provide fire for them, thus allowing them to continue with their task in providing security to the local Afghan civilians.”
This is Carl’s third overseas deployment, having already seen duty in Papua New Guinea in 2004 and East Timor in 2007.
Although he has enjoyed the deployment, it has been a long stint away from home and Carl is looking forward to returning to Australia to see his partner, Piki, his family and his two dogs.
“I would like to say thank you to all the people who are supporting our soldiers overseas, and thank you to my mum Louise, my girlfriend Piki and my grandparents Ron and Patricia Thompson for all your love and support.”