Tinkham named Maine Army National Guard assistant adjutant general

PHOTO: Brig. Gen. Tinkham is pinned with his new rank insignia by his wife Lynn (right) and mother, Lt. Col. (ret) Frances Casey. (Maine National Guard Maj. Carl Lamb photo)

AUGUSTA — Adjutant General for Maine, Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, has named Brig. Gen. Blair E. Tinkham the next assistant adjutant general for the Maine Army National Guard.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to continue to serve with the soldiers and leaders of the Maine Army National Guard,” said Tinkham, a Gardiner native, who lives in Manchester with his wife, Lynn, and five children.
“I look forward to collaborating with our senior leaders in developing strategic initiatives that will increase readiness, modernize our equipment, and create joint and global training opportunities,” he said. “This will ensure that the Maine National Guard continues to be always ready to support our state and nation at home and overseas.”

Tinkham was promoted from colonel to his current rank in a ceremony Feb. 5 at Camp Chamberlain in front of an audience of family, friends and National Guard members.
In his new assignment, Tinkham will advise Farnham on all state matters pertaining to the Army National Guard, as well as acting as a principal advisor for joint policies, procedures, force modernization and strategic planning.
“I think the Maine National Guard has shown incredible success with our joint response to COVID,” said Tinkham. “We are an operational reserve force, but first and foremost the Maine National Guard cares about our community because we are the community. We will continue to glean the benefits of the lessons learned from this emergency event. Our success will come with our continued understanding of capabilities that we bring to domestic operations and federal deployment requirements. We will continue to develop and plan training opportunities and interagency collaboration to ensure we are ready.”
Tinkham added, “Our soldiers are our most valuable resource. I would like to thank them, along with their families and employers for their incredible commitment to service.”
Tinkham enlisted in the Guard in 1989. He completed 26 years of active reserve service in December, culminating with two years as chief of staff for the Maine Army National Guard. He has held an array of administrative, operations, logistics and special staff positions, and deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (4), and Combat Action Badge.
Tinkham has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Maine, as well as a masters in education. He is also a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in strategic studies.
He is the son of former Adj. Gen. Joseph Tinkham and Lt. Col. (ret) Frances Casey.