Lockhart entered under-graduate pilot training at Webb Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, and, upon graduation, was fortunate to get an assignment to F-100s. He was sent to Luke AFB for basic fighter training and then assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Kadena Air Base (AB), Japan. The unit was transitioning to the F-105 Thunderchief, and Tom received his "Thud" checkout at Nellis AFB, Nevada, en-route to Japan.

He arrived at Kadena in August 1964, and was in the process of getting combat ready when the unit was sent to South East Asia (SEA) in December 1964. His squadron, the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, was deployed throughout 1965 to Korat AB, Thailand, with the mission of deep interdiction of North Vietnam. In June of 1966, the 44th TFS was re-designated the 13th TFS and sent PCS to Korat AB to perform strike and "Wild Weasel" missions.

One of the student pilots to come through the command in 1969 was now-President George W. Bush, and Tom was privileged to be one of his IPs (Instructor Pilots).

Lockhart returned to South East Asia in 1971 flying the F-4E Phantom II. He accumulated another 125 missions as a line pilot and served on the wing staff as the Flight Safety Officer for fighter aircraft.

The remainder of Lockhart's 26 1/2-year career was spent in the following positions:
PACAF IG -- Hickham AFB, Hawaii
USMC Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia
F-4 IP – Homestead AAFB, Florida
TAC/IG F-4E -- Langley AFB, Virginia
Operations Officer F-16 -- Nellis AFB, Nevada
NATO TAC/EVAL -- Vincenza, Italy
HQ USAF IG -- Norton AFB, California

Life as a U.S. Air Force officer has provided Lockhart the opportunity to travel extensively and to live in many exciting places. It has given him the opportunity to experience many of his special interests, and Tom is a proficient snow skier, SCUBA diver, and glider pilot.

These days, Lockhart and his wife, Jan, are seeing from the ground many of the places he saw only from the air during his active duty days as they travel around the United States in their motor home. They have retired to Sedona, Arizona, where Tom also enjoys playing golf and riding his motorcycle. He is not nearly ready to give up flying and is a part-time pilot for a flying service in Sedona where he pilots doctors and medical personnel from Flagstaff to the clinics and hospitals on the various Indian reservations throughout Arizona.

During the wild fire season, Lockhart also flies for the US Forest Service in aircraft designated to observe and control firefighting activities. The Lockhart household is ruled by 3 Chow Chow dogs, "Ichi," "Thud," and "Tukee." He and Jan have been showing the dogs, and "Tukee" is an American and an International Champion.