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Meet the Commander - Lt. Col. Gary Smith

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Evoked by patriotism and the desire to serve, Lt. Col. Gary Smith, 325th Air Control Squadron commander, began his journey in the U. S. Air Force by attending the Air Force Academy in 1994, and earning a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.

After graduating from the academy, Smith performed duties as a senior director and instructor weapons director of the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. While at Tinker, he met his wife Cody, an Oklahoma native. She accompanied him on an assignment to Alaska, and then an assignment back at Tinker before being stationed in the Washington, D.C. area.

After he performed his duties as the chief of Airborne Command and Control Systems at the Pentagon, he arrived at Tyndall, filling his role as the director of operations at the 325th ACS in June 2010.

He and his family are excited to remain at Tyndall, he said.

"My family and I love the area, the beach, and the supportive surrounding community," said Smith. "I'm big on family, and look forward to taking them camping, boating and helping my boys with Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts."

He said his Air Force career has molded him into the husband, father, and squadron commander he is today. It also provided an abundance of learning opportunities. His years in the service have expanded his areas of responsibility and aided in his development as a leader.

"Always strive to be the best at what you do," Smith said. "Continuing your education will help with that. Education is essential to personal and professional development and leadership growth."

In 2003, Smith completed his masters of business administration through the University of Alaska. In 2008, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va.

"Throughout my career I've been able to learn a lot and meet a lot of exceptional people," Smith said. "I've had outstanding mentors to allow me to grow into the person and leader I am today. Without them I wouldn't be in the position I am in today."

Smith has seen many sides of the Air Force mission during his time in the service. He expressed the importance of building relationships with the people you work with and the benefits it has on the mission.

"We fight and work as a team," said Smith. "It is important to have healthy relationships at work so we can take care of each other. The success of the mission depends on the foundations we build in the workplace."

His passion for serving, and the love of the mission, plays hand-in-hand with having a healthy work environment and strong ties with his wingmen.

"It is important to find something you are passionate about in order to grow," Smith said. "Learning from peers and taking advantage of education programs will allow you to develop into the person you are meant to be."

It is what has helped him get to the point he is at in his career.

"Every day I want to help people," he said. "Either with their personal obstacles or operationally, I want to help them do what they need to do. I want to make every one of my cadre members better than they are today."