The Air Force Office of Special Investigation has concluded its review of forensic evidence in the death of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley on July 27 and believes it “was consistent” with the initial assessment that Tinsley died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound,” according to a Nov. 7 release from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where Tinsley had commanded the 3rd Wing. According to the release, there was alcohol present in his system but no other substances. The investigation turned up no suicide note, evidence that the incident was pre-planned, or other issues, such as financial difficulties, that would “indicate a motive or state of mind leading to his death,” stated the release. In the statement, Gen. Howie Chandler, commander of Pacific Air Forces, called Tinsley “a remarkable officer” and said, “One of the many tragic aspects of this event is that we are unlikely to ever fully understand his actions that evening.”
While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.
