Tim Vaughan was born and raised in Cumming, Georgia. A 1979 graduate of Forsyth County High School, he went on to graduate from the University of Georgia in 1983 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Vaughan enrolled in the ROTC program while a student there, and received his commission in the United States Air Force upon graduation.
Vaughan completed pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and was assigned to the 23 Tactical Air Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, flying the A-37 Dragonfly.
In 1988, Vaughan was reassigned to fly the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, a single seat, multi role fighting aircraft, and it was a perfect match. Vaughan racked up over 3,200 hours in the Falcon, flying it in various locations around the world for most of his 24-year Air Force career. After 16 years of USAF active duty, Vaughan continued to serve as a fulltime active duty member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. At the time of his retirement in 2008, he was the Commander of the 138th Operation Group.
Col Vaughan has logged 88 combat missions, totaling 264 hours, in OPERATION DESERT STORM, OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH, OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH, and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
His extensive list of decorations include; The Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Air Medal (5 awards), the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Col Vaughan is married to the former Kathleen Johnston, a retired elementary school teacher, of Washington, IL. They have two children: Capt. Jacob Vaughan, also an F-16 fighter pilot and Dr. Jessica Vaughan, who specializes in Child Neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The Vaughan’s have called Bowling Green home since his retirement in 2008. He taught AFJROTC at Warren East High School for four years, and is currently a commercial pilot with United Airlines. He was previously type-rated in the Airbus A-320, and both the Boeing 737 and 777. Currently, he is flying the Boeing 787.