IN MEMORIAM: CWO4 Alan L. Lindley (1938-2026)

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “In Memoriam: CWO4 Alan L. Lindley (June 17, 1938 - Sept. 18, 2026) Tribute by Michael E. Bigelow, INSCOM Command Historian I was honored to know Al Lindley for almost two decades. Granted, we were associates more than friends. Yet, that didn’t matter. Whenever I saw him, I received one of his trademark greetings: “Happy Days, my friend, Happy Days.” That upbeat greeting alone made the day better. He was a large-souled man, generous to the core and always ready to help. Two fond memories reflect his magnanimity.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “First, we, in the History Office, had a great aerial photo of Field Station Sinop, but it was unlabeled. Al sat across the table from me and used sticky notes to label all the buildings. In the process, he gave us a running commentary on the history of the field station. The second reminiscence occurred years later. I was giving a tour of our little History Center and just finished talking about the larger-than-life Col. John McFadden.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “Al, who had quietly entered the room behind me, spoke up, adding several of his thoughts on McFadden. The comments supported what I had said and personalized a remarkable leader. Both exchanges, although small, were typical of Al Lindley: informative, straightforward, and helpful. His support was always given in a positive and warm way. Beginning in 1956, Al Lindley’s career spanned over the next five decades.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “His service as a soldier - both enlisted and as a warrant officer - Army civilian, and contractor was a closely linked chain that traced the evolution of signals intelligence (SIGINT) from static Cold War listening posts to modern, integrated intelligence networks. Serving in both the Army Security Agency and Intelligence and Security Command, Al was a maintainer with a decidedly intelligence pedigree.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “He understood one key aspect of the intelligence system better than career intelligence professionals: the nonstandard intelligence equipment’s value hinged on whether specialized support could be delivered at the right time and place. Beyond mere effective shop work, he knew maintenance was a readiness function tied directly to operations, supply, and the realities of operational conditions. He understood that no matter how cutting-edge a system appeared to be, it was useless without trained maintainers, sound procedures, spare parts, and realistic readiness programs.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “During his long career, he was a constant presence behind the systems that shaped Army airborne and ground intelligence. He had a hand in the fielding and life-cycle support for Army intelligence’s most important systems, including Crazy Horse, Guardrail, Trackwolf, Airborne Reconnaissance-Low, Ground Based Common Sensor, and the All-Source Analysis System. In his later years, he translated experimental technology into equipment that MI soldiers could actually operate, fix, transport, and sustain. Yet, Al understood the intelligence system was so much more than equipment - it was people.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “Wherever he was, Al mentored and coached intelligence soldiers and professionals. . . even historians! We often say “this leader helped develop generations of leaders,” when we really mean a few year groups. With Al, it was different. With his lengthy career, he shared his experience, expertise, and empathy with peers, subordinates, and seniors. To many, he was a brother in arms. To some, he could be a father figure. To me, he was like an uncle whose company you always enjoyed when he came to family events.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “Yet, it was the Army’s aerial intelligence community that held Al in the highest esteem. He was not just a brother, he was THE brother. During his 1971 assignment to Vietnam, Al began his long association with the airborne intelligence system and the soldiers that brought it together. Most leaders of that field knew “Big Al” and learned from him. Many counted their blessings that he was in the rear making sure they had the support they needed.”

• U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, November 13: “Operators that Al knew as lieutenants and captains went on to become colonels and generals. One of them, Maj. Gen. John Thomas stated that Al’s “experience is the history of Army airborne intelligence.” In the end, Al Lindley’s career cannot be defined simply by a litany of his assignments or even the number of systems that he helped develop. Ultimately, Al’s greatest mark was the continuity of his commitment, especially to those soldiers and civilians in the field that he supported.”