Conference room gets new name in memory of first CC

Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander provides comments at the 7th AF conference room dedication ceremony Oct. 31, 2014. The conference room was dedicated to the late Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, the first commander of 7th AF. The ceremony was broadcast via video teleconference to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., where Tinker’s grandson Phil Tinker and his family were in attendance. “From here on out, when anyone comes to 7th Air Force, they will come to the Tinker Conference Room,” said Jouas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marelise Wood)

Conference room gets new name in memory of first CC

Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander and Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, 7th AF command chief, unveil the new designation of the 7th AF conference room Oct. 31, 2014. The conference room, now the Tinker Conference Room, was dedicated to Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, the first commander of 7th AF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marelise Wood)

Conference room gets new name in memory of first CC

Published Nov. 3, 2014
By Master Sgt. Marelise Wood
7th Air Force Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The conference room at the 7th Air Force headquarters building has a new designation.

In a ceremony Oct. 31, 2014, Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander, declared the conference room the Tinker Conference Room in memory of Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, the first commander of 7th AF.

The ceremony was broadcast via video teleconference to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., the late general's namesake, where his grandson Phil Tinker and his family were in attendance.

"We were doing some research and it came to our attention that we had nothing here in Korea that honored his memory as the first commander of 7th Air Force," said Jouas. "So we decided to rectify that. From here on out, when anyone comes to 7th Air Force, they will come to the Tinker Conference Room. We finally have a place of honor for your grandfather."

Jouas went on to explain why this dedication was so important.

"The history of the United States Air Force is filled with examples of Airmen who inspire us to be better than we thought possible, whose actions remind us of the true definition of core values and whose lasting impacts set the standard by which we measure valor," he said. "No Airman better exemplifies this genuine heroism than Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker."

Tinker was killed in action during World War II while serving as the 7th AF commander.

"When we enter this conference room to do the business of 7th Air Force, we will always remember its first commander, Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, and strive to live up to the standards set by his examples of excellence and heroism."

As the ceremony closed, Mr. Tinker expressed his appreciation for the honor bestowed on his grandfather.

"This event means the world to my family and me and it's something that we'll always cherish," said Mr. Tinker. "I know my grandfather would be overwhelmed and ...extremely humbled by what transpired here today. I appreciate what you have done at 7th Air Force and at Tinker Air Force Base to keep his legacy alive. "