Lance L. Smith

{{BLP sources|date=March 2013}} {{Infobox military person |name=Lance L. Smith |birth_date={{birth date and age|1946|9|18}} |death_date= |birth_place=[[Akron, Ohio]], U.S. |death_place= |burial_place= |burial_label=Place of burial |image=Lance L Smith.jpg |caption=General Lance L. Smith |nickname= |allegiance=[[United States|United States of America]] |branch=[[United States Air Force]] |service_years=1970-2008 |rank=[[General officer|General]] |commands=U.S. Joint Forces Command NATO Supreme Allied Command for Transformation 7th Air Force Air Force Doctrine Center 4th Fighter Wing 27th Fighter Wing |unit= |battles=[[Vietnam War]] |awards=[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (3) [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Silver Star]] (3) [[Legion of Merit]] (2) [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (3) [[Purple Heart]] [[Air Medal]] (10) |relations= |other_work= }} '''Lance L. Smith''' (born September 18, 1946)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_senate_hearings&docid=f:34348.wais|title = - S. HRG. 109-847 NOMINATIONS BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FIRST SESSION, 109TH CONGRESS}}</ref> is a retired [[United States Air Force]] [[General (United States)|general]] who last served as the Commander, [[United States Joint Forces Command|U.S. Joint Forces Command]], [[Norfolk, Virginia]], and NATO [[Allied Command Transformation|Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation]] from November 10, 2005, to November 9, 2007. A highly decorated combat veteran, the general retired from active duty on January 1, 2008.

Smith entered the United States Air Force in 1970 after graduating from [[Virginia Tech]] and completing [[Officer Training School]]. He served two tours at [[The Pentagon]] and was [[Commandant]] of the NATO School at [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]], Commandant of [[Air War College]], and Vice Commander of [[Air University (United States)|Air University]]. He commanded two fighter wings and led two air expeditionary force deployments to [[Southwest Asia]]: AEF III and the 4th Air Expeditionary Wing. He flew more than 165 [[Military operation|combat missions]] in Southeast and Southwest Asia in the [[A-1 Skyraider]] and the [[F-15E Strike Eagle]]. A [[command pilot]], he has more than 3,000 hours in various military aircraft.

==Education== *1969 Bachelor of Arts degree in business management, [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute]], Blacksburg, Virginia *1978 Master of Arts degree in business management, [[Central Michigan University]], Mount Pleasant *1982 Air Command and Staff College, [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Alabama *1990 [[United States Army War College|Army War College]], [[Carlisle Barracks]], Pennsylvania *1994 Advanced Executive Program, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, [[Northwestern University]], Evanston, Illinois

==Assignments== *June 1970 - June 1971, student, undergraduate pilot training, [[Columbus AFB]], Mississippi *June 1971 - September 1971, A-1 combat crew training, [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida *October 1971 - October 1972, A-1 pilot, 1st Special Operations Squadron, [[Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB]], Thailand *October 1972 - July 1973, instructor pilot training, [[Randolph AFB]], Texas *July 1973 - September 1977, instructor pilot and chief, check section, 96th Flying Training Squadron, [[Williams AFB]], Arizona *September 1977 - January 1979, staff officer, Air Staff Training Program, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. *January 1979 - August 1981, student, A-7 Corsair conversion training, A-7D aircraft commander, flight commander and assistant operations officer, 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron, [[England AFB]], Louisiana *August 1981 - June 1982, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama *June 1982 - July 1986, Air Staff officer, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations; Project Checkmate analyst for interdiction, Europe and Southwest Asia; Air Force team chief, Joint Assessment and Initiative Office, and executive officer to the Air Force Director of Operations, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. *July 1986 - July 1989, Chief of Safety, later, Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, [[Myrtle Beach Air Force Base|Myrtle Beach AFB]], South Carolina *July 1989 - June 1990, student, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania *June 1990 - August 1992, Commandant, NATO School, SHAPE, Oberammergau, Germany *August 1992 - September 1993, Vice Commander, later, Commander, 27th Fighter Wing, [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico *September 1993 - June 1995, Assistant Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, [[Langley AFB]], Virginia *June 1995 - July 1997, Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, [[Seymour Johnson AFB]], North Carolina *July 1997 - August 1998, Vice Commander, 7th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Korea, and Chief of Staff, Combined Republic of Korea and U.S. Air Component Command, [[Osan Air Base]], South Korea *September 1998 - December 1999, Commandant, Air War College, and Vice Commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama *December 1999 - November 2001, Commander, Air Force Doctrine Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama *November 2001 - October 2003, Deputy Commander, United Nations Command; Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea; Commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea and U.S. Combined Forces Command; and Commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Osan AB, South Korea *October 2003 - November 2005, Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, [[MacDill AFB]], Florida *November 2005 - November 2007, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia

==Flight information== *Rating: Command pilot *Flight hours: More than 3,000 *Aircraft flown: [[T-33]], [[T-37 Tweet|T-37]], [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38]], [[A-1 Skyraider|A-1]], [[A-7 Corsair II|A-7]], [[A-10]], [[F-111F]], [[F-15E]] and [[F-16]]

==Major awards and decorations== {| |[[File:COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png|150px]] |[[United States Aviator Badge|Air Force Command Pilot Badge]] |- |[[File:USJFCOM SEAL.gif|50px]] |[[United States Joint Forces Command]] Badge |- |[[File:Emblem_of_Allied_Command_Transformation.svg|50px]] |[[Allied Command Transformation]] Badge |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}}[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] with two bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} |[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Silver Star Medal ribbon|width=60}}[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Silver Star]] with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Defense Superior Service Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=60}} |[[Legion of Merit]] with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon|width=60}}[[File:"V" device, brass.svg|12px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] with two bronze oak leaf clusters and [["V" Device|Valor V]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Purple Heart ribbon|width=60}} |[[Purple Heart]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon|width=60}}[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] with three oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Medal ribbon|width=60}}[[File:Silver oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Air Medal]] (10 awards in total) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Air Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Aerial Achievement Medal]] with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Commendation Medal#Air Force|Air Force Commendation Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army Commendation Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Commendation Medal#Army|Army Commendation Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=60}} |[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Air Force Presidential Unit Citation]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame)|width=60}} |[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Outstanding Unit ribbon|width=60}}[[File:"V" device, brass.svg|12px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Outstanding Unit Award|Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] with two oak leaf clusters and Valor V |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Organizational Excellence ribbon|width=60}} |[[Organizational Excellence Award|Air Force Organizational Excellence Award]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Combat Readiness Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Combat Readiness Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=60}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|11px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|11px]] |[[National Defense Service Medal]] with two bronze [[service star]]s |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} |[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] with service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|11px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|11px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|11px]] |[[Vietnam Service Medal]] with three service stars |- |[[File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|60px]] |[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Korea Defense Service Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Armed Forces Service Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |[[Humanitarian Service Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air and Space Campaign ribbon|width=60}} |[[Air and Space Campaign Medal]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=AF OS Short Tour Ribbon.svg|width=60}} |[[Overseas Service Ribbon#Air Force|Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon]] with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}} |[[Overseas Service Ribbon#Air Force|Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=60}}[[File:Silver oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]][[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]] |[[Air Force Longevity Service Award]] with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg|width=60}} |[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Air Force Training Ribbon.svg|width=60}} |[[Air Force Training Ribbon]] |- |[[File:GER Bundeswehr Honour Cross Silver ribbon.svg|60px]] |[[Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr|Bundeswehr Cross of Honor in Silver]] (Republic of Germany) |- |[[File:Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png|60px]] |[[Order of National Security Merit (Korea)]], Gugseon Medal |- |[[File:Cheon-Su Security Medal Ribbon.png|60px]] |[[Order of National Security Merit (Korea)]], Cheon-Su Medal |- |[[File:CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg|60px]] |[[Meritorious Service Cross]], Military Division (Canada) |- |[[File:SVK Commemorative Medal Min-of-Def 1st BAR.svg|60px]] |Commemorative Medal of the Slovak Defense Ministry of the First Degree (Slovak Republic) |- |[[File:Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|60px]] |[[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]] |- |[[File:NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg|60px]] |[[NATO Meritorious Service Medal]] |- |[[File:Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|60px]] |[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]] |}

==Promotions== {| class="wikitable" |+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date |- | [[File:US Air Force O10 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100x100px]] | [[General (United States)|General]] | 87 Nov 2005 |- | [[File:US Air Force O9 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] | 1 Jan 2002 |- | [[File:US Air Force O8 shoulderboard rotated (1949–1994).svg|100px]] | [[Major general (United States)|Major General]] | 1 Apr 1998 |- | [[File:US Air Force O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] | 1 Jul 1995 |- | [[File:US Air Force O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] | 1 Jul 1989 |- | [[File:US Air Force O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] | 1 Feb 1982 |- | [[File:US Air Force O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Major (United States)|Major]] | 4 Dec 1978 |- | [[File:US Air Force O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Captain (United States)|Captain]] | 18 Oct 1973 |- | [[File:US Air Force O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[First Lieutenant (United States)|First Lieutenant]] | 11 Nov 1971 |- | [[File:US Air Force O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg|100px]] | [[Second lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] | 18 May 1970 |- |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192810/http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=96 General Lance L. Smith's Official DoD Bio] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510104032/http://www.jfcom.mil/about/smith.htm U.S. Joint Forces Command Biography]

{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=[[Michael P. DeLong]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander of the [[United States Central Command]]|years=2003–2005}} {{s-aft|after=[[David C. Nichols]]}} {{s-end}}

{{USGovernment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613181028/http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7181|archive-date=2009-06-13|url=http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7181|agency=United States Air Force}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Lance L.}} [[Category:1946 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Military personnel from Akron, Ohio]] [[Category:United States Air Force generals]] [[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]] [[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Decoration]] [[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]] [[Category:Order of National Security Merit members]] [[Category:Recipients of the NATO Meritorious Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr]] [[Category:Virginia Tech alumni]] [[Category:United States Army War College alumni]] [[Category:Central Michigan University alumni]] [[Category:Air Command and Staff College alumni]] [[Category:Recipients of the Humanitarian Service Medal]]