Operations Flight Commander Bio

Major Smith is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 845, Texas Christian University (TCU), Fort Worth, TX.

Det 845, based at TCU, oversees the AFROTC commissioning programs for seven participating colleges and universities throughout the Fort Worth area.

The mission of AFROTC is to develop leaders of character for tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force. Major Smith enlisted in the Air Force in 2000 as a fire protection apprentice where he executed critical fire­fighting and emergency medical opera­tions.

He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2005 and earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School in 2007. Major Smith attended undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas flying the T-6A Texan II and Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training for Helicopters at Fort Rucker, AL where he piloted the UH-1H Huey.

After earning his wings in 2009, he was assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ flying the HH-60G Pavehawk. As a first assignment pilot, he held numerous squadron and group level positions culminating as the Chief of Rotary Wing Weapons & Tac­tics, 563d Rescue Group, 563d Operations Support Squadron.

For his subsequent assignment, Major Smith returned to Fort Rucker to train the US Air Force’s newest helicopter pilots in the TH-1H Huey II. While at the 23d Flying Training Squadron, he served as Chief of Current Operations, Student Flight Commander and Chief of Standardization & Evaluations.  In 2017, he was assigned to Malmstrom AFB, MT flying the UH-1N Huey, where he held the positions of Assistant Director of Operations at the 40th Helicopter Squadron, Group Standardization & Evaluations for the 582d Helicopter Group, and the Commander for the 582d Operations Support Squadron, Detachment 4.

Maj Smith is a senior pilot with over 2,000 flight hours, 65 combat hours and seven contingency deployments.

EDUCATION

2005 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, magna cum laude, Embry RiddleAeronautical University

2008 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX2009   Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training – Helicopter, Fort Rucker, AL

2010 HH-60G Qualification Course, Distinguished Graduate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

2012 Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell AFB, AL2013   TH-1H Instructor Course, Fort Rucker, AL

2013 Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership, summa cum laude, Tri­dent University International

2017 UH-1N Qualification Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.2018   UH-1N Instructor Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M. 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. June 2000 - June 2004, Fire Protection Apprentice and NCOIC Dispatch Center, 4^th CES, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
2. June 2004 - May 2007, Fire Protection Journeyman, 21st CES, Pe­terson AFB, CO
3. May 2007 - August 2007, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL
4. August 2007 - November 2008, Student Pilot, 84th FTS, Laughlin AFB, TX
5. November 2008 - August 2009, Student Pilot, 23d FTS, Fort Rucker, AL
6. August 2009 - March 2010, Student Pilot, 58th SOW, Kirtland AFB, NM
7. March 2010 – March 2012, HH-60G Mission Pilot, 55th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
8. March 2012 - June 2013, Mission Pilot, Chief Rotary Wing Weapons and Tactics, 563d OSS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
9. June 2013 - May 2016, TH-1H Evaluator Pilot, Chief Standardization & Evaluations, 23d FTS, Fort Rucker, AL
10. May 2016 – November 2016, Current Operations Planner, USAFE-AFAFRICA A3O, Ramstein AB, GE
11. November 2016 - April 2017, UH-1N Qualification Course, 58th SOW, Kirtland AFB, NM
12. April 2017 - August 2018, Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, 40th HS, Malmstrom AFB, MT
13. August 2018 - January 2019, Evaluator Pilot, Group Standardization & Evaluations, 582d HG, Malmstrom AFB, MT
14. January 2019 – June 2020, Commander/Evaluator Pilot, 582d OSS/Det 4, Malmstrom AFB, MT
15. June 2020 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC/Det 845, Fort Worth, TX

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flying hours: More than 2000, including 65 combat hours

Aircraft flown: T-6A, UH-1H, HH-60G, TH-1H, UH-1N 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Iraq Campaign Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Basic Military Training Honor Graduate

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

2007  Distinguished Graduate, Officer Training School

2009  AETC Commander's Trophy, Academic Training Award, and Military Leadership Award, Class 09-08, SUPT-H

2010  Distinguished Graduate, Class 09-10, HH-60G Initial Qualification Training 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant August 10, 2007

First Lieutenant August 10, 2009

Captain August 10, 2011

Major July 1, 2017

(Current as of August 2020)