Captain Adam Smith is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.
Captain Smith enlisted in 2000 as an In-Flight Aerial Refueling Journeyman, where he was assigned to the KC-135R Stratotanker with the 912th Aerial Refueling Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. He deployed to Central Command 13 times in support of Operations Northern Watch, Infinite Justice, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Liberation, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support and Freedom’s Sentinel.
Captain Smith cross-trained to become an MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper Sensor Operator stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, in 2008, where he was assigned to reactivate the 15th, 17th, 18th and 22nd Attack Squadrons, flying missions in multiple theaters across the globe. Furthermore, in 2011, Captain Smith was assigned to the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, where he taught initial instruction in MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft.
Next, Captain Smith was commissioned through Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB and was assigned to the 89th Attack Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, as an instructor pilot. Lastly, Captain Smith was again assigned to the 6th Attack Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, as an evaluator pilot. While performing his evaluator duties as Wing Safety Officer, he investigated and determined costs and causes for 149 aircraft crashes and mishaps.
Captain Smith is a senior pilot with 9,000 flight hours, including 1,500 combat hours in the MQ-1 Predator, 3,000 in the MQ-9 Reaper, 3,000 in KC-135 Stratotanker and 1,500 in various general aviation aircraft.
- 2003 - Associate of Arts, Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force
- 2005 - Airman Leadership School, Grand Forks Air Force Base, Ala.
- 2007 - Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeuronatical University
- 2008 - Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- 2009 - Associate of Arts, Air and Space Operations, Community College of the Air Force
- 2011 - Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Fort Dix, N.J.
- 2017 - Master of Science, Master's in Business Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- July 2000-September 2000, Student Boom Operator, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
- September 2000-June 2008, Evaluator Boom Operator, 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
- June 2008-July 2011, Instructor Sensor Operator, 42nd Wing, Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
- July 2011-December 2015, Evaluator Sensor Operator, 49th Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- December 2015-March 2016, Officer Training School, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
- March 2016-February 2017, Student Pilot, 558th Flying Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas
- February 2017-February 2018, Tactics Officer/MQ-9 Pilot, 89th Attack Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
- February 2018-July 2019, Awards and Decorations Officer/MQ-9 Pilot, 89th Attack Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
- July 2019-September 2020, Squadron Assigned Flight Safety Officer/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 89th Attack Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
- September 2020-August 2021, Assistant Flight Commander/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 89th Attack Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
- August 2021-December 2021, Assistant Flight Commander/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 6th Attack Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- December 2021 -March 2023, Wing Flight Safety Officer/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- March 2023-September 2023, Flight Commander/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 6 Attack Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- September 2023-June 2024, Assistant Director of Operations/MQ-9 Evaluator Pilot, 6 Attack Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- June 2024-Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC Detachment 028, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
- Rating: Senior Pilot, Chief Enlisted Aviator
- Flight Hours: More than 9,000, including 4,300 combat hours
- Aircraft Flown: MQ-9, MQ-1, T-6, KC-135R/T
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
- Aerial Achievement Medal with 24 oak leaf clusters
- Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air and Spece Achievement Medal
- Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Force Expeditionary Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
- Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal - Five Service Stars
- Nuclear Deterrence Operation Service Medal
- Airman Basic - July 5, 2000
- Airman First Class - Aug. 18, 2000
- Senior Airman - Dec. 18, 2002
- Staff Sergeant - Aug. 1, 2004
- Senior Airman - July 4, 2005
- Staff Sergeant - Aug. 1, 2008
- Technical Sergeant - July 1, 2012
- Master Sergeant - July 1, 2015
- Second Lieutenant - March 11, 2016
- First Lieutenant - March 11, 2020
- Captain - March 11, 2020
(Current as of July 2024)
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Prescott, AZ 86301