Chief Master Sergeant Christopher M. Smith serves as the acting Command Chief Master Sergeant, 24th Special Operations Wing (24 SOW), and Group Senior Enlisted Leader, 720th Special Tactics Group, 24th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Florida. He serves as the principal advisor to the commander on all issues and concerns affecting enlisted Special Tactics Active Duty and Air National Guard personnel executing and supporting special operations missions in multiple theaters. He provides leadership and management for six special tactics (ST) units encompassing over 900 combat controllers (CCT), pararescuemen (PJ), special reconnaissance (SR), tactical air control party (TACP), Special Operations Surgical Teams (SOST), and mission support personnel. The 24 SOW is comprised of two Special Tactics groups and a training squadron with more than 1,500 assigned special operations Airmen and combat support personnel encompassing 58 Air Force specialties.
Chief Smith was raised as an Air Force dependent in multiple locations around the world. He enlisted in the Air Force in November 2003. He volunteered to be a Combat Control Airman and attended technical training at multiple locations within the continental United States. Upon completion of the training pipeline, he served at assignments in EUCOM, INDOPACOM, AFSOC and AETC. During these assignments, he completed multiple deployments with U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, Africa, and other sensitive areas around the globe. Throughout his career, he has served in various leadership positions, as an Instructor, a Chief of squadron’s Standards-Evaluations, a Joint Directorate Senior Enlisted Advisor at a Theater Special Operations Command, and as a Squadron and Group Senior Enlisted Leader.
EDUCATION
2008 Airman Leadership School, RAF Feltwell, UK
2010 Basic Instructor Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Associates Degree, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Associates Degree, Community College of the Air Force
2015 Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2018 Bachelor’s Degree, American Military University
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education – SEJPMEI Course (Non-Residence)
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education – SEJPMEII Course (Non-Residence)
2019 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2019 Professional Manager Certification
2021 Master’s Degree, Arizona State University
2022 Chief Leadership Course, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2022 Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, MacDill AFB, Fla.
2023 Strategic Leader Course, Gunter Annex, Fla.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 2003–December 2003, USAF Basic Military Training
2. January 2004–January 2007, Combat Control Trainee, multiple training locations within CONUS
3. January 2007–January 2010, Combat Control Operator, 321st Special Tactics Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, UK
4. January 2010–January 2014, Combat Control Instructor, 342nd Training Squadron, Pope AAF, N.C.
5. January 2014–July 2016, Flight Chief, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
6. July 2016–March 2019, Flight Chief, 26th Special Tactics Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
7. March 2019–May 2021, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Joint Readiness Directorate, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii
8. May 2021–April 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 26th Special Tactics Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
9. April 2023–Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
10. July 2024 - Present, Acting Command Chief Master Sergeant, 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
(Current as of July 2024)