US Army Specialist Mark Thompson.

United States Army Specialist (Promotable) Mark Thompson, 34 years, is about to deploy for his third tour in Iraq. Specialist Mark Thompson attended schools in Ventura, Camarillo and Oxnard before graduation in 2000. He participated in Water Polo and Year Book Photography while Camarillo High School. He enlisted into the United States Army on May 23, 2003 and completed his Army Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Advanced Individualized Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia returning again to Fort Eustis for Non-Destructive Inspection Certification. Specialist Mark Thompson is considering the United States Army as a career and reenlisted on March 19, 2007 for an additional six years. Specialist Mark Thompson is currently stationed with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Bravo Company 615th Aviation Support Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.

Specialist Mark Thompson has earned Military distinction by being awarded; two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Specialist Mark Thompson is married to Jennessa, and he has three children; son(s) Connor 11 and Luke 2 of Fillmore and stepdaughter Peri Ellen 18 of Hawaii. He is the son of Sheryl Feldhans of Fillmore and Frank Soper of Texas and the stepson of Gene Feldhans of Fillmore. His Grandparents are the late Dody Downey and Connie Downey of Fillmore. His Great Grandparents are Lester and Thelma Arundell of Fillmore. Specialist Mark Thompson has three siblings; Brother Dale Thompson 31 of Fillmore, Sister Kathleen Thompson 23 of Oxnard, Brother David Thompson 21 of Fillmore. Specialist Mark Thompson comes from a long line of family members having served in the military; Uncle Scott Feldhans is a career United States Marine Master Sergeant currently serving on deployment, Brother Dale Thompson served ten years in the United States Navy, Sister-in-Law Christina Thompson served six years in the United States Navy, his Father Frank Soper served in the United States Marines and he had one Aunt and two Uncles serve in the United States Marines and one Aunt and two Uncles serve in the United States Air Force.

Specialist Mark Thompson is a helicopter powertrain repairer with Bravo Company 615th Aviation Support Battalion for the AH64D Apache Longbow, UH60 Black Hawk, CH47 Chinook, OH58D Kiowa Warrior and while on deployment he repairs Iraqi helicopters assigned to their unit. The 615th Aviation Support Battalion was inactivated along with the rest of the DISCOM forces in early 2005. It was later reactivated with the Air Combat Aviation Battalion at Fort Hood in 2005.
The 615th Aviation Support Battalion is the first of its kind in the 1st Cavalry Division. With the forming of the battalion, the 615th Aviation Support Battalion has absorbed the history and honor of the soldiers assigned to Company F, 2-227 Aviation Regiment and Company C, 27th Main Support Battalion. These two companies, combined with the battalion's Headquarters and Supply Company, have formed a unit capable of supporting the supply, fuel, and maintenance needs of the 1st Cavalry Brigade.
Specialist Mark Thompson’s Military Banner was recently placed on Central Avenue. He and his family were able to see it before he deploys to Iraq for his third tour in the next few days. Those of us from the communities of Fillmore/Piru wish Specialist Mark Thompson safe travel on his third tour to Iraq. All of us thank him and his family for the sacrifices they have already made and for those they will make in the future. Specialist Mark Thompson is truly an American Hero.