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Elmendorf 1-star buried at Arlington

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley, who died July 27 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was laid to rest Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tinsley, commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, apparently shot himself in the chest, though it is not yet known if the shooting was suicide or an accident.

Leaders from Elmendorf attended the funeral, as did his wife Joanna, daughter Eden and a nephew Tyler, for whom Tinsley was the legal guardian.

The 46-year-old fighter pilot was pronounced dead within a half-hour of the shooting at his home on base.

The Air Force is not commenting on Tinsley’s death until it finishes its investigation, which will take 30 to 60 days.

Medical responders rushed to Tinsley’s home but were unsuccessful in trying to save him. Tinsley’s wife, and college-aged daughter were home at the time of the shooting.

Tinsley was named base commander in May 2007. He had served as an F-15 instructor pilot, F-15C test pilot, wing weapons officer, exchange officer and instructor with the Royal Australian Air Force.

His previous 22-month assignment was as executive officer to then-Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, who resigned under pressure in June.

The Associated Press and staff writer Erik Holmes contributed to this report.