Stephen Harrison Thomas

Lieutenant-Commander Stephen Harrison-Thomas, DSC, born in Yorkshire in 1961, is a distinguished British Royal Navy officer renowned for his service as a Sea Harrier pilot during the Falklands War. After joining the Royal Navy in 1978, he completed his training with the Fleet Air Arm and was assigned to 801 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Invincible. During the conflict, he flew 51 combat missions, including 10 at night, and was credited with three air victories: a Mirage IIIEA on May 1, 1982, and two Daggers on May 21, 1982. For his gallant and distinguished service in the South Atlantic, Harrison-Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on October 8, 1982. After retiring from the Royal Navy in 1989, he transitioned to civilian aviation, serving as a First Officer and later as a Captain for Air UK, where he flew the BAe 146 Regional Jetliner on European routes and the Boeing 737-400 for Air UK Leisure. Following Air UK's acquisition by KLM, he moved to the Netherlands and captained Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft on South American routes. Harrison-Thomas is also the author of "Navigating The Skies: Comprehensive Insights Into Aviation Management," reflecting his extensive experience in both military and civilian aviation sectors. "Cocaine Skies," offers a gripping account of his experiences in Colombia, blending the adrenaline-fueled intensity of his missions with profound reflections on courage, loyalty, and redemption.