AUGUSTA — The adjutant general for Maine, Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, has named Brig. Gen. Blair E. Tinkham as 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, according to a news release from Maj. Carl Lamb, public affairs officer. “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. 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. 4 at Camp Chamberlain.

In this assignment, Tinkham will advise the adjutant general 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 enlisted into the Maine Army National Guard in 1989 as a rifleman with “B” Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) in Brewer. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and was assigned to the 262nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and later commanded the 152nd Support Maintenance Company, 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and 52nd Troop Command.

Tinkham completed 26 years of Active Guard Reserve service last December, culminating with two years as chief of staff for the Maine Army National Guard. In his new position, Tinkham reverts to a drill status soldier, serving the traditional one weekend a month, plus annual training time.

In his full time capacity, Tinkham has held a wide array of administrative, operations, logistics and special staff positions, and deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (four), and the Combat Action Badge.

A Gardiner native, Tinkham is the son of former Adjutant General Joseph Tinkham and Lt. Col. (ret) Frances Casey. He and his wife, Lynn, live in Manchester with their five children.

 

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