Elmendorf commander dies of gunshot wound

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley, commander of the 3rd Wing here, died of a gunshot wound July 27 at his on-base residence.

Elmendorf medical authorities responded and General Tinsley was declared dead at approximately 10:30 pm July 27. The general had served as the wing commander here since May 2007.

"I'd like to express my personal grief at the death of one of our nation's finest Airmen, Brig. Gen. Thomas Tinsley, and to offer my profound sympathy to his wife Joanna and their family." said Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander.

"General Tinsley was a true leader and Airmen warrior and his untimely death is a loss to the Air Force and the nation as well as to his family."

General Tinsley was commissioned in 1984 through the ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and subsequently was a distinguished graduate of undergraduate pilot training. He has served as an F-15 instructor pilot, F-15C test pilot, wing weapons officer, exchange officer and instructor with the Royal Australian Air Force. 

He has served in the Directorate for Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff as South Asia desk officer and executive assistant to the Deputy for Political-Military Affairs for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. He has commanded the 12th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, and the 1st Operations Group, Langley AFB, Va. 

The incident is under investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

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