Major Nathaniel L. Smith Major Nate Smith is the Commander, 352d Special Warfare Training Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, NC. The 352d SWTS trains and develops ground combat forces that specialize in airpower application. The Squadron runs 3-level skill awarding courses for Special Warfare Airmen in the Combat Control, Special Reconnaissance, and Special Tactics Officer career fields. Additionally, the Squadron runs the Special Warfare Air Traffic Control training course, and the Air Force’s only Static Line Jumpmaster qualification course, training members from all military services in this advanced skill. Major Smith is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with honors from the U.S. Air Force Academy in May 2007. He holds advanced qualifications as a military freefall parachutist, combat scuba diver, air traffic controller, static-line jumpmaster, and Joint Terminal Attack Controller. He has served five deployed and combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, across North Africa, and Jordan. EDUCATION 2007 Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado 2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama 2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama 2015 Master of Arts in Leadership, University of Oklahoma 2021 Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 2021 Master of Arts in Operational Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas ASSIGNMENTS 1. Jun 2003 – May 2007, Cadet, USAF Academy, CO 2. Aug 2007 – Sep 2007, Student, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL 3. Sep 2007 – Jun 2009, Trainee, Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL 4. Jul 2009 – Apr 2011, Assistant Flight Commander, 23rd STS, Hurlburt Field, FL 5. Apr 2011 – May 2014, Flight Commander, 321st STS, Mildenhall AFB, UK 6. Jun 2014 – Jun 2015, Executive Officer, 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL 7. Jul 2015 – May 2016, Special Tactics Officer, 24th STS, Pope Army Airfield, NC 8. Jun 2016 – Mar 2018, Flight Commander, Data Masked 9. Apr 2018 – Jul 2020, Director of Operations, 22d STS, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 10. Aug 2020 – Jun 2021, Student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS 11. Jul 2021 – Present, Commander, Special Warfare Training Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, NC MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters Army Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal Air Force Combat Action Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal NATO Medal OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2007 Distinguished Graduate, Social Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy 2007 Outstanding Cadet in Character, Class of 2007, U.S. Air Force Academy 2007 Team Captain Award, Class of 2007, U.S. Air Force Academy 2009 Partner Unit Group CGO of the Quarter, Hurlburt Field, FL 2012 Team Mildenhall CGO of the Year, Mildenhall AFB, UK 2012 AFSOC Special Tactics Officer of the Year, Mildenhall AFB, UK 2012 USAF Special Tactics Officer of the Year, Mildenhall AFB, UK (Current as of 20 July 2021)