Colonel David W. Smith is commander of the 419th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. As commander, he oversees a dynamic training program to ensure the combat readiness of 1,200 Citizen Airmen. The wing is home to F-35A/F-16 operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical personnel.

Colonel Smith earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1992. He is a combat-proven command pilot who has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, three tours supporting Iraqi Freedom, as well as Allied Force, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and Noble Eagle.

He joined the Air Force Reserve in 2002 and was previously assigned as commander of the 482nd Operations Group, Homestead ARB, Fla. He has also served as a deputy command center director at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) located at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Colonel Smith has more than 3,900 hours of flight time, including 700 combat hours from 157 combat sorties.

EDUCATION

1992 B.S. Social Science, United States Air Force Academy

1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (In-Residence)

2006 Air Command and Staff College (Non-Residence)

2009 Air War College, Ala. (Non-Residence)

2011 Master’s degree, Strategic Studies, Air University, Air War College (In-Residence)

2015 NATO Senior Officer Policy Course

ASSIGNMENTS

1. May 1992 – May 1993, Instructor, Athletic Department, United States Air Force Academy

2. May 1993 – May 1994, Student UPT, Laughlin AFB, Texas

3. May 1994 – May 1997, Standardization and Evaluations Pilot, KC-135R/T, Fairchild AFB, Wa.

4. May 1997 – June 1998, Student, F-16 RTU, Luke AFB, Ariz.

5. June 1998 – May 2001, Flight Commander, 78th Fighter Squadron, F-16CJ, Shaw AFB, S.C.

6. May 2001 – December 2002, Special Assistant to Commander, T38C/AT-38B, IFF IP, Moody AFB, Ga.

7. December 2002 – September 2006, Chief of Scheduling and Plans, F-16C+ IP, Homestead ARB, Fla.

8. September 2006 – September 2008, Assistant Director of Operations, 93rd FS, Homestead ARB, Fla.

9. September 2008 – July 2010, Commander, 93rd FS, Homestead ARB, Fla.

10. July 2010 – July 2011, Student SDE In-Residence, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

11. July 2011 – June 2014, NORAD USNORTHCOM HQs J3, DCCD, N2C2, Peterson AFB, Colo.

12. October 2013 – June 2014, Deputy Commander, 451st Air Expeditionary Group, Afghanistan

13. June 2014 – November 2015, Commander, 482nd Operations Group, Homestead ARB, Fla.

14. November 2015 – Present, Commander, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Ratings: Command Pilot, Instructor Pilot

Flying Hours: 3,900+

Aircraft Flown: F-35A, F-16CM, MC-12W, F-16C+, T-38C, AT-38B, F-16CJ, KC-135R/T, T-38A, T-37

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Bronze Star Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal (4 oak leaf clusters)

Air Medal (6 oak leaf clusters)

Aerial Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)

Air Force Commendation Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)

Air Force Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant May 27, 1992

First Lieutenant May 27, 1994

Captain May 27, 1996

Major Dec. 1, 2002

Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 2, 2007

Colonel Nov. 1, 2012

(Current as of November 2016)