TUCSON, Ariz. -- On a cold morning in Iceland in the early 1990s, Lynn Stedge stood on the edge of a tarmac, watching an F-15 roar into the Arctic sky.
It was the final days of the Cold War, and the first-term Airman, thousands of miles from his small hometown in Pennsylvania, was securing a jet on its way to intercept Soviet aircraft testing NATO’s boundaries.
Looking back, it might seem like an everyday operation, but Stedge still vividly tells it. He didn’t know then, but those early moments laid the foundation for a career that spanned nearly four decades across four continents.
Family legacy
Before all that, in 1987, Stedge enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Specialist in the Security Police. At the time, he was uncertain about his future, despite military service already being rooted in his family’s history.
“My family history drew me toward service,” he said.
His grandfather, a World War II infantryman, was wounded in Italy, and his aunts, uncles and cousins had all served in either the Army, Marine Corps, or Navy.
That sense of family legacy, combined with the uncertainty of being 17, led Stedge straight to the recruiter’s office. At the time, he planned to serve four years, use the GI Bill and figure out the rest -- but his path took an entirely different turn.
“I wasn’t ready for college at 17, so the Air Force became my path,” he said. “It gave me purpose, structure and the opportunity to learn and grow.”
Years later, that same legacy inspired his son, Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Stedge, to follow in his footsteps. Matthew, a Weapons Expediter with the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, has served 12 years in the Air Force.
Finding his calling
Stedge’s early assignments, like at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, helped shape his approach to leadership and problem-solving, he said. But it wasn’t until 1991, during an assignment in Panama, that his career took a pivotal turn.
Assigned to U.S. Southern Command’s contraband control team in Panama in 1991, Stedge found himself in the thick of investigative work, tracking black-market activities and uncovering corruption.
“That was my first taste of investigative work,” he said.
The experience gave him more than just investigative instincts; it offered him a glimpse of the work done by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, who he worked with there.
Observing Special Agents up close, Stedge said he was struck by their professionalism.
“Their professionalism and the nature of their work left a lasting impression,” he said. “I realized this was something I wanted to pursue long-term.”
But ambition doesn’t always mean acceptance. When Stedge first applied to join AFOSI, he was turned down, a decision he described as disappointing but far from defeating.
“I applied to AFOSI for the first time but was told, ‘We’re not taking Security Forces guys right now,’” he said. That setback turned into determination, and he tried again a year later and was accepted.
Panama, however, was more than just a professional milestone.
It was also where Stedge met Rosa, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong partner. The assignment that shaped his career also laid the foundation for the family that would support him through decades of service.
“When I think back on my childhood, what stands out most is the fortitude of my mother,” Matthew said. “Looking back, there’s no doubt that Mom’s resilience enabled my parents’ 34-year marriage and the closeness of our family.”
Learning the ropes
Stedge’s journey as a Special Agent began at the AFOSI Academy in the early 1990s, where he trained alongside Special Agent Mike Willoughby, now the director of Counterintelligence for AFOSI Region 5.
Willoughby recalled Stedge’s calm demeanor under stress, which set him apart even then.
“The cadre tried to induce stress, but Lynn always acted like it was no big deal,” Willoughby said. “He was calm, cool and collected. Whether in class or out, he was quiet and reserved but had a knack for lightening the mood with his humor.”
According to many, this steady presence became a hallmark of Stedge’s career, one that others would come to admire and rely on.
“His humor had a way of positively impacting mission execution,” Willoughby said. “He carried that trait with him throughout his career.”
Leadership in action
For those who worked closely with Stedge, his leadership made an impact, said Col. Emily D. Gebo, AFOSI 3 FIR commander.
“He elicits complete faith and trust – that’s why people follow him,” Gebo said. “Leadership like that is transformative and powerful, which is why I think his unit does such amazing things.”
Col. Dave Bethel, AFOSI 8 FIR commander, echoed this sentiment, adding Stedge’s ability to handle the most complex challenges with grace.
“He conducts himself like an elder statesman, smoothly transitioning between strategic engagements with immense value and import to the nation, to caring for people and their development, personal goals, etc.,” Bethel said. “I know I could drop him into any situation, no matter how difficult, and he’d succeed.”
Col. Stephen Olivares, AFOSI 2 FIR commander, noted that Stedge’s leadership had left an indelible mark on him, too.
“He is a consummate professional in every way – a quiet professional with a great sense of humor, well respected, loyal to a fault, and not afraid to shoot straight,” Olivares said.
Decades of service
Stedge’s career took him across four continents, where he tackled diverse assignments, from NATO operations in Italy to counterintelligence missions in Latin America and East Africa.
His ability to adapt and build trust defined his service, his said, but he credits his family as the foundation of his success.
“Rosa has been my rock for 34 years,” he said. “She adapted to every new culture and environment with grace. Our kids grew up experiencing incredible things most people only dream of. Their support has made every challenge worthwhile.”
His retirement last month underscored his impact, with former colleagues, senior leaders and family members gathering to celebrate his career.
Most recently, as the AFOSI 2d Field Investigations Region director, Operating Location Bravo, Stedge led teams dedicated to counterintelligence and force protection missions.
Reflecting on the milestone, Stedge shared his perspective on the journey that began so many years ago.
“If I could go back and talk to the 17-year-old version of myself,” he said, “I’d tell him, ‘Strap in and hold on—it’s going to be a lot of fun. Don’t hesitate to embrace change. The rewards are worth it.’”
Now settled in Tucson, Arizona, Stedge looks forward to a well-earned retirement with his wife, Rosa, by his side. His career, defined by integrity and a commitment to service, remains a source of pride for both his family and those he led along the way.
“The goal was always to do the job, do the right thing, and give my best effort,” he said. “The success, however, belongs to the incredible people I worked with and the family who stood by me through it all.”