Chief Master Sergeant Robert S. Smith is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 193d Special Operations Wing, Middletown, Pennsylvania. He serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the commander on all issues affecting mission effectiveness, health, morale, readiness, enlisted development and mentoring of approximately 1,900 Airmen assigned to the Wing. The Wing is comprised of four uniquely modified EC-130J aircraft which provide Military Information Support Operations and Electronic Attack, and three C-130J aircraft ensuring Special Operations Forces mobility in support of United States Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command.
Chief Smith entered the United States Air Force in December 1987. He completed the Aerospace Ground Equipment Apprentice course in June 1988. During his active-duty tenor from June 1988 to October 1999 Chief Smith performed numerous support functions within the Maintenance Group and Logistics Group. Additionally, he served as a Quality Assurance Inspector and Exercise Evaluation Team member. Chief Smith has deployed in support of numerous operations to include Operation PROVIDE COMFORT, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM and UNIFIED PROTECTOR. In 2013, Chief Smith completed a tour at the Air National Guard Readiness center as the Subject Matter Expert for the A4/M Equipment Management section.
EDUCATION
1988 Aerospace Ground Equipment Repairman, Chanute AFB, Ill.
1990 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Military Course, RAF Lakenheath, UK
1994 Aerospace Ground Equipment Journeyman 7- Level Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
1996 Air Force Quality Assurance Inspector School, Oklahoma City, Okla.
2000 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence
2004 NCO Supervisor Leadership Seminar, Ft Indiantown Gap, Pa.
2006 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence
2006 AFSO21 Leadership Course, Harrisburg Intl Airport, Middletown, Pa.
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint PME, Correspondence
2014 Air University Culture Awareness School, Correspondence
2015 Rolls Royce AE2100D3 Turbo Prop School Level 1 & Level 2, Indianapolis, Ind.
2015 Leadership Challenge Program Level II, Harrisburg, Pa.
2015 Community College of the Air Force, Aerospace Ground Equipment Technologies
2017 AFSOC Chiefs Orientation Course, Cannon AFB, N.M.
2017 ANG Chiefs Executive Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1987–February 1988, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1988–June 1988, Student, Technical Training School, Chanute AFB, Ill.
3. June 1988–November 1989, AGE Journeyman, 96 FMS, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas
4. November 1989–November 1991, AGE Journeyman, 48 MXS, RAF Lakenheath, UK
5. November 1991–November 1993, Stock Control, 48 LRS, RAF Lakenheath, UK
6. November 1993–November 1996, AGE Production Supervisor, 552 MXS, Tinker AFB,Okla.
7. November 1996–October 1999, Quality Assurance Inspector, 552nd Logistics Group, Tinker AFB, Okla.
8. October 1999–October 2009, AGE Technician, 193 SOMXS, Middletown, Pa.
9. May 2009–February 2012, Quality Assurance Inspector, 193 SOMXS, Middletown, Pa.
10. December 2012–May 2014, Superintendent, AGE Flight, 193 SOMXS, Middletown, Pa.
11. May 2014–February 2017, Superintendent, Propulsion Flight, 193 SOMXS, Middletown, Pa.
12. February 2017–October 2020, Squadron Superintendent 193 SOAMXS, Middletown, Pa.
13. October 2020 – October 2022, 193d Regional Support Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Annville, Pa.
14. October 2022 – Present, 193d Special Operations Wing, Command Chief, Middletown, Pa.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Pennsylvania Commendation Medal
Pennsylvania Maj Gen Thomas R. White, Jr. Medal
Pennsylvania Gen Thomas J. Stewart Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
Pennsylvania National Guard Association
193 SOW Association
193 Special Operations Benevolent League
Veterans of Foreign War Post 9738
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman June 30, 1988
Airman First Class April 30, 1989
Senior Airman December 30, 1990
Staff Sergeant July 1, 1994
Technical Sergeant August 15, 2002
Master Sergeant December 3, 2004
Senior Master Sergeant April 7, 2012
Chief Master Sergeant May 15, 2017
(Current as of November 2022)