3 September 2020
For Leading Aircraftman Andrew Thompson, an aircraft technician at No. 36 Squadron, this Father's Day falls close to only daughter Maddison's first birthday.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he and his wife Corporal Emma Thompson, a personnel capability specialist at No. 6 Squadron, are planning a small picnic in the park to celebrate both milestones.
"Maddison is always bubbly and smiling," Leading Aircraftman Thompson said.
"Whether I’ve had a good day or a bad day, it's heartwarming to know I can go home and spend time with her.
"She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me."
Leading Aircraftman Thompson said Defence had been flexible with shift work, enabling him to do daycare drop-offs.
"Emma and I got married two years ago after meeting at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory when I was posted there," he said.
"Maddison was born in August last year and we try to share the parenting duties and manage work commitments."
Leading Aircraftman Thompson enlisted into Air Force in 2007 from his hometown of Parkes, NSW, and since then spent eight years maintaining F/A-18/A/B Hornets before posting to RAAF Base Amberley and the home of the C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.
"During my time at 36SQN, I've flown all over the world and been to some pretty unique places," he said.
"In 2018, I was even part of the maintenance team that flew with the C-17A to Thailand with divers to assist with the rescue of the soccer team trapped in the Tham Luang Cave."
