Commander Lex Smith was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May of 2007 with a B.A. in Economics and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas, where he earned his “Wings of Gold” in July of 2009.

Commander Smith completed his initial P-3C training and then reported to the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO in Oak Harbor, Washington in June of 2010. There, he served as Instructor Pilot, Mission Commander, and Pilot Training Officer. He deployed to the Central Command and Pacific Command areas of responsibility.

In September of 2013, Commander Smith reported to the “Pro’s Nest,” Patrol Squadron THREE ZERO in Jacksonville, Florida, where he transitioned to the P-8A Poseidon and served as an Instructor Pilot and Fleet NATOPS Evaluator.

In August of 2016, Commander Smith was assigned as an Aviation Launch and Recovery Equipment Officer “Shooter” and the V-1 Division Officer onboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) in Bremerton, Washington. He led his division through an inter-deployment training and maintenance period and served as the Homeport Change Officer.

In August of 2018, Commander Smith reported to the Patrol Squadron NINE “Golden Eagles” in Oak Harbor, Washington where he served as Operations Officer, Instructor Pilot, and Mission Commander. Commander Smith led detachments to Andoya, Norway, and Kaneohe, Hawaii. He deployed twice to the European Command area of responsibility.

Commander Smith completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School in May of 2022, and returned to Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO in May of 2023. He currently serves as the 74th Commanding Officer of VP-40.

He lives in Anacortes, Washington with his wife Anahid and daughters Penelope and Adeline.

Commander Smith has accumulated over 2,600 flight hours in naval aircraft. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (4), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency Award (2), and Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.

Last Updated: 16 May 2024