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Captain Barrett Smith

A native of Northampton, Pennsylvania, Captain Smith graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History.
 
CAPT Smith was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2002 and subsequently qualified in F/A-18 A-F and F-35C aircraft. Afloat, he completed operational tours with VFA-25 (2002-2006), VFA-87 (2011- 2013) and VFA-102 (2016-2019) in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and Western Pacific operations.
 
From October 2016 through May 2019, CAPT Smith served as the Commanding/Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO TWO (VFA-102), the “DIAMONDBACKS”, assigned to Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) as the Navy’s only permanently forward deployed F/A-18F Super Hornet squadron. He oversaw the command’s permanent duty station shift from NAF Atsugi to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, participation in 12 joint and combined exercises, execution of nine detachments to include one trans-Pacific Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program Detachment, and three Indo-Pacific deployments aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).
 
From March 2009 to April 2010, CAPT Smith served in Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq as a Strategist in the Multinational Forces—Iraq (MNF-I) and later, United States Forces—Iraq (USF-I), J5 Directorate. In this capacity, CAPT Smith was the lead planner for the Commanding General’s briefings to national leadership and assisted in the development of key policies and strategies.
 
Ashore, CAPT Smith served as the Director of the Commander’s Action Group for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe / Africa from July 2020 through May 2022, serving as an Inner Circle Advisor for the Commander, facilitating the development of U.S. / NATO Maritime Command and Control Organizational constructs and overseeing US Navy participation in NATO air operations in support of the Alliance as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
 
In 2013, CAPT Smith attended and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA and was subsequently designated a Joint Qualified Officer. He served as an Observer/Trainer with the Joint Staff, J7, Deployable Training Division and provided training to Combatant Command, Joint Task Force, and Component Command Commanders and staffs.
 
CAPT Smith holds Master’s Degrees from the U.S. Naval Post-graduate School (EMBA) and U.S. Naval War College (National Security and Strategic Studies).
 
CAPT Smith has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours and 400 carrier arrested landings. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and various service awards.

Last Updated: 5 May 2023


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