Robins AFB, GA Sept. 27, 2005 -- Brig. Gen. Tom Lynn took his “Fini Flight” with the 116th Air Control Wing on September 27.  The Flight is a tradition celebrated by aircrews after they have flown the last sortie with their unit.  In keeping with the custom, after landing, the general was hosed down with water and drenched in champagne by his wife and senior members of his staff.  

In November, Brig. Gen. Lynn will become the Assistant to the Director of the Air National Guard for Logistics (ANG/LG) at Andrews AFB, MD.

Brig. Gen. Lynn has spent the past 3 years as the first commander of the first and only U.S. Air Force Wing to activate under the Air Force's Future Total Force concept, blending Air National Guard, Active Duty Air Force and Army personnel. He assumed command on October 1, 2002 when the 116th ACW was activated and the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Bomb Wing blended with the active-duty 93d Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base. As commander, the general has been responsible for the worldwide employment of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. 

Under his command, the 116th ACW has been given the unique opportunity to support both domestic and international missions.  Recently, members of the 116th assisted in the relief efforts after hurricane Katrina by providing security protection in New Orleans and by delivering over 4 million pounds of supplies to survivors in the Gulfport area.  In addition, the wing has played a vital role in the Global War on Terror, completing over 10,000 combat hours in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and earning high marks for operational effectiveness.

This flight signified the end of a flying career that has spanned more than thirty five years and over 3,500 flying hours.