WING COMMANDER KRISTA THOMPSON

COMMANDING OFFICER 3 CONTROL AND REPORTING UNIT

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Following careers in banking and civil aviation, Wing Commander Thompson joined the RAAF in February 1986 as a Flying Officer, graduating from Officer Training School and Basic Air Traffic Control training in August of that year.

Wing Commander Thompson served in Air Traffic Control operational posts at Williamtown and Tindal, before completing a 12-month tour as an instructor at Officer Training School.

In 1993, she recategorised to the Air Defence branch, graduating from Basic Air Defence Controllers Course at Number 3 Control and Reporting Unit in June 1993.

On promotion to Squadron Leader, Krista was subsequently posted to Headquarters Number 41 Wing as the Wing Standardisation Officer in January 1996. During this tour she introduced a new Categorisation and Proficiency Scheme and Operational Evaluation process for all 41Wing members. She was subsequently posted back to Number 3 Control and Reporting Unit in January 1999 as the Chief Instructor and in July 1999, formed the Surveillance and Control Reporting Unit for which she was appointed the inaugural Commanding Officer.

Krista graduated from the initial Australian Command and Staff Course at Weston Creek Canberra in December 2001 with a Masters of Management - Defence Studies and following promotion to Wing Commander was subsequently posted to Capability Systems in Russell Offices as Deputy Director Battlespace Management. In October 2003, she moved to the position of Staff Officer Operations/Commanding Officer Headquarters Number 41 Wing, at Williamtown. In 2005 the position was altered to include Executive Officer functions and responsibilities.

In November 2005, Krista was posted to assume command of Number 3 Control and Reporting Unit and has been closely involved in the planning and execution of many operations and exercises focussing on Homeland Defence operations for Australia.