Wally's war-time and peacetime service created in Tim a strong interest in the US Air Force.

In his civilian studies, he earned a Master of Science degree in astronautical and aeronautical engineering from Purdue University.

In 1993, as commander of the 401st Fighter Wing in Aviano, Italy, he led the beddown and support of joint and combined airpower in NATO's Deny Flight Operation over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

General Kinnan served as vice director for strategic plans and policy with the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., supporting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in developing military strategy and policy within the interagency process in Washington.

He also worked with military representatives of NATO and Partnership for Peace member nations to develop policy recommendations for the political authorities of the alliance.