Colonel Andrea Thompson is an important new South Dakota blogger posting on a timely and interesting topic – A Soldier’s Look at the War in Afghanistan.

Today is a mark it on the calendar day for Colonel Andrea Thompson. She reported to her new assignment as the Senior Intelligence Officer to Commanding General McChrystal’s staff in Kabul, Afghanistan and today also marks her 21^st anniversary as a U S Soldier. Her blog that is informative, engaging and full of pictures gives a boots on the ground view of a Soldier’s life at War.

Andrea Thompson is a graduate of Harrisburg High School (she was Homecoming Queen). She received her BA in Journalism and Spanish from the University of South Dakota. Upon graduation she was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps. While serving in the Army she earned a Master’s of Science degree from Long Island University in Leader Development and Counseling. She is a graduate of several Military Schools including Command and General Staff College and recently graduated from National War College with a Master’s of Science Degree in National Security Strategies.  

Colonel Thompson has a varied and distinguished career traveling extensively worldwide.  She has served previously in Afghanistan and twice in Iraq. From 2005 to 2007 she served as Assistant Chief of Staff for the 101^st Airborne Division. From 2007 to 2008 she served as a Special Assistant to the Army Chief of Staff.

A very accomplished soldier she has been awarded among a longer list the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Overseas Service ribbon (4), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Parachutist’s Badge.

Andrea is the daughter of South Dakota political campaign consultant and former S D GOP Executive Director Georgia Hanson (a very proud Mother).

Andrea Thompson spoke in June at the Minnehaha County GOP monthly luncheon briefly about the War on Terrorism. She took several questions and I was extremely impressed. She was a total professional; Knowledgeable and a great communicator. No politics though – strictly a pro. She perfectly finessed any question about U S Policy or criticism of the Commander in Chief.

Afghanistan Update – As Colonel Thompson arrives in Kabul, reports are General McChrystal is preparing a report for the President that may include a build up of forces similar to the Iraqi surge. If such a request does come, it comes at a time when opposition to the War in Afghanistan is building with both American public opinion and the Congress.

I continue to strongly support the War on Terror. United States efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are essential to American Security.  Al-Qaeda wants to annihilate Western Culture, That includes Jews first and Americans regardless of their faith second, then Europeans. The Terrorists must be stopped.

I am thankful and totally support our American forces and Heroes like Andrea Thompson.

Check out her blog, Andrea’s Adventures at: http://andreasafghanadventures.blogspot.com/

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