Frederick Banks Wynn

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREDERICK BANKS WYNN
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Born in1937, in Georgia, Frederick Banks Wynn—known fondly to his classmates as "Early"—received a Senatorial appointment from Georgia to join the pioneer Air Force Academy Class of 1959. While yearbook entries list connections to both Atlanta, Georgia, and Jackson, Tennessee, official Academy register records verify Georgia as his primary home state of record.

Entering the Academy in June 1955 at its temporary home at Lowry Air Force Base before transitioning to Colorado Springs, Cadet Wynn distinguished himself across academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. He served on the Contrails Staff and the Entertainment Committee. Classmates remembered "Early" for his winning personality, keen humor, and easygoing manner that allowed him to make lifelong friends effortlessly.

OPERATIONAL FLYING & THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

After graduating with the inaugural Class of 1959, Lieutenant Wynn completed pilot training from 1959 to 1960 at Malden and Craig Air Force Bases. Upon earning his wings, he was assigned to the 429th Air Refueling Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, piloting air refueling tankers.

During his time at Langley, Lieutenant Wynn served as the Squadron Mobility Officer. In October 1962, while attending the Air Force Academy homecoming football game in Colorado Springs on leave, he noticed senior Air Force leadership—including SAC Commander General Curtis LeMay—abruptly leave the stadium mid-game. Four days later, President John F. Kennedy announced the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Wynn immediately returned from leave to combat alert status, managing squadron mobility as KC-97/KC-135 tankers deployed forward to support Strategic Air Command operations.

COMBAT DUTY IN VIETNAM
In 1963, Lt. Wynn transitioned to tactical operations and deployed to South Vietnam as a combat pilot with the 1st Air Commando Squadron based at Bien Hoa Air Base. Flying air strike and forward air control missions in demanding early-war environments, he demonstrated exceptional skill and valor, completing numerous operational sorties and earning seven Air Medals.

SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, TESTING & STAFF LEADERSHIP

Following his combat tour in 1964, Wynn served as an instructor pilot with the 3566th Navigator Training Squadron at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas. In 1966, he was selected for advanced education at Oklahoma State University, completing post-graduate studies in 1968.

Applying his technical expertise, he transitioned into acquisition and systems program management:

• Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD), Wright-Patterson AFB (1968–1970): Served as Project Manager for the T-37 aircraft program and Chief of the Project Section for the International Fighter System Program Office.

• Defense Systems Management School, Fort Belvoir, VA (1971–1974): Served as an instructor shaping the training curriculum for defense acquisition officers.

• 6585th Test Group, Holloman AFB (1974–1975): Served as Test Director conducting critical defense flight testing.

• Headquarters Air Force Systems Command (1975–1979): Served as an Inspector General (IG) Management Consultant and Program Management Assistant.

Lieutenant Colonel Wynn retired from active duty after 24 years of distinguished military service.

CIVILIAN CAREER & POST-MILITARY LIFE

Following his military retirement, Wynn built an executive career in defense technology and program management:

• 1979–1983: Program Director / Senior Program Analyst at Advanced Technology Inc. in Arlington, Virginia.

• 1983–2003: Manager of Proposal Development, Director of Program Development, and Senior Director of Government Communications Marketing at ARINC in Annapolis, Maryland.

• 2004–2013: Founder and President of Wynner Inc. based in Basye, Virginia.

A steadfast supporter of the Air Force Academy, he remained active with the Association of Graduates (AOG) and was a member of the USAFA Class of 1959 Polaris Society.

EDUCATION

United States Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science (Class of 1959) 1959
USAF Pilot Training Undergraduate Pilot Training (Malden & Craig AFB) 1959–1960
Oklahoma State University Post-Graduate Studies 1966–1968

MEDALS & KEY DECORATIONS

• Meritorious Service Medal (1)

• Air Medal (7)

• Joint Service Commendation Medal (1)

• Air Force Commendation Medal (2)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS & DUTY STATIONS

1959–1960 Pilot Training Malden AFB / Craig AFB
1960–1963 Tanker Pilot & Squadron Mobility Officer 429th Air Refueling Squadron, Langley AFB, VA
1963–1964 Combat Pilot 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
1964–1966 Pilot / Instructor 3566th Navigator Training Squadron, James Connally AFB, TX
1966–1968 Post-Graduate Student Oklahoma State University
1968–1970 Project Manager (T-37) Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1970 Chief, Project Section International Fighter System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1971–1974 Instructor Defense Systems Management School, Fort Belvoir, VA
1974–1975 Test Director 6585th Test Group, Holloman AFB, NM
1975–1979 IG Management Consultant / Pgm Mgt Asst Headquarters Air Force Systems Command (AFSC)
1979–1983 Program Director / Sr. Program Analyst Advanced Technology Inc., Arlington, VA
1983–2003 Dir. Program Dev / Sr. Dir. Govt Comm Mkt ARINC, Annapolis, MD
2004–2013 President Wynner Inc., Basye, VA