Honoring Service Veteran Timothy A. Moynihan, Gulf War/War on Terror

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Honoring Service-08-2021-Timothy Moynihan
Timothy Moynihan

Tim was born July 5, 1958 in Worcester, MA. He was commissioned into the US Air Force through ROTC at the College of the Holy Cross. There he met and later married the love of his life Kathleen Lynch, daughter of longtime Rye resident Robert (Bob) Lynch in 1980. Tim, Kathleen and their three children moved to 23 Oakwood Ave in Rye in 1991 following Desert Storm. He continued his USAF service with the New Jersey Air National Guard until July 2004.

Date of Birth: 7/5/1958
Street Address: 23 Oakwood Avenue
Branch of Service: U.S Airforce

In 1980 Tim graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and was commissioned into the US Air Force. Shortly after commissioning, he married Kathleen Lynch, daughter of Robert (Bob) Lynch, a longtime Rye resident. He was selected to complete USAF Navigator training and following more than a year of training in California, he was assigned to the 305th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom AFB, IN. While at Grissom AFB, he flew in a variety of -135 models including the KC-135 supporting Strategic Air Command (SAC) refueling missions, the EC-135 as a SAC airborne command post and the RT-135, a unique refuellable tanker. He progressed to be an instructor and evaluator navigator. Through 1986, he flew extensively throughout the world supporting tactical and strategic missions.

In 1986 he left USAF active duty to join the USAF Reserves based at Grissom AFB, IN. He did so to pursue his MBA at Purdue University. He joined the 434th Air Refueling Wing (Reserves) which provided air refueling support to SAC’s mission. In August 1990 he was mobilized, that is recalled to active duty to support Operation Desert Shield. He deployed to Jedda, Saudi Arabia until early December 1990 and then returned to Jedda later that month. He flew daily missions during Desert Shield providing refueling to coalition transport and fighter aircraft to support the buildup in the region. He flew more than 25 combat support missions in Operation Desert Storm. Following Desert Storm, he moved from Indiana to Rye – hometown of his wife of 11 years.

Shortly after his move to 23 Oakwood Ave in Rye, he joined the 108th Air Refueling Wing of the NJ Air National Guard at McGuire AFB, NJ. As a seasoned flyer and command post officer, he continued to fly in addition to training aircrew in SAC communication, authentication and launch procedures.

In the 1990’s he was mobilized for activities during the Kosovo conflict and later mobilized for Northern/Southern Watch no-fly zone missions in Iraq. On 9/11, while in Rye, he was mobilized as a battle staff officer at the 108th ARW coordinating USAF activities with FEMA and other agencies. He also flew many homeland defense support missions during this time. Following 9/11 activities, he flew many missions across the globe supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. After 24 years, he retired in July 2004 as a Lt Col.

Tim logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, USAF Air Medal, USAF Commendation Medal, USAF Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Throughout his reserve military career, he worked at a variety of leadership positions at Intel and other high technology companies. He is longtime member and officer of Rye American Legion Post 128. All three of his children graduated from Rye High School.

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